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I Am A 45 Year Old Woman. I Don't Drink
Question: I am a 45 year old woman. I don't drink or smoke. But I am fairly inactive due to Fibromyalgia.
Lately I have been waking up with a fast heart rate for the first few minutes of waking.
I can literally feel my heart pounding and often I have been in a deep sleep dreaming, but notalways.
Sometimes I just wake and my heart seems to go fast for about a minute or two and then it resumes to a normal rhythm.
I just assumed this was normal for the heart to adjust from sleeping to waking but now I'm not so sure.
I have never felt my heart beat before when waking and it does seem to be quite noticeable now and then.
It doesn't last long, a few mins and I just lay there until it goes back to normal.
I have also noticed it seems to happen more when I am having my period and if my iron levels are lower.
I had an EKG about 2 months ago, everything was good.
My heart rate can go as high as 180. But again, it's always from waking during a dream and it lasts about a minute.
I do get quite hot but no other symptoms and heart rate goes back to normal after a min or two.
I am actually starting to get worried about it and wonder if this is a problem or if t could be serious?
Lately I have been waking up with a fast heart rate for the first few minutes of waking.
I can literally feel my heart pounding and often I have been in a deep sleep dreaming, but notalways.
Sometimes I just wake and my heart seems to go fast for about a minute or two and then it resumes to a normal rhythm.
I just assumed this was normal for the heart to adjust from sleeping to waking but now I'm not so sure.
I have never felt my heart beat before when waking and it does seem to be quite noticeable now and then.
It doesn't last long, a few mins and I just lay there until it goes back to normal.
I have also noticed it seems to happen more when I am having my period and if my iron levels are lower.
I had an EKG about 2 months ago, everything was good.
My heart rate can go as high as 180. But again, it's always from waking during a dream and it lasts about a minute.
I do get quite hot but no other symptoms and heart rate goes back to normal after a min or two.
I am actually starting to get worried about it and wonder if this is a problem or if t could be serious?
Brief Answer:
Blood work is necessary
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I understand your concern. If a heart problem has been safely ruled out, the next step is to also rule out anemia and a thyroid dysfunction as possible causes of this increased heart rate.
Talk to your primary care doctor for a referral for a blood iron level and thyroid hormone tests.
Another cause to consider is sleep apnea, for which it is necessary to undergo a sleep test.
Anxiety may also cause this symptom, however it is best to start with ruling out the above mentioned causes.
I hope this answers your question. Let me know if I can assist you further and feel free to come back with the test results so I can advise you further.
Take care
Blood work is necessary
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I understand your concern. If a heart problem has been safely ruled out, the next step is to also rule out anemia and a thyroid dysfunction as possible causes of this increased heart rate.
Talk to your primary care doctor for a referral for a blood iron level and thyroid hormone tests.
Another cause to consider is sleep apnea, for which it is necessary to undergo a sleep test.
Anxiety may also cause this symptom, however it is best to start with ruling out the above mentioned causes.
I hope this answers your question. Let me know if I can assist you further and feel free to come back with the test results so I can advise you further.
Take care
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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