Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
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:
You may need to check your thyroid function and CBC
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
I would recommend you to check your thyroid function (TSH and FT4 blood tests) just to make sure your thyroid is normal.
Thyroid problems are common in women and may cause increased heart rate and patients may feel hot.
Also if you have not had a CBC recently done in the last 6 months, it is important to have it checked as anemia may cause the heart to go fast. Sometimes, the doctor may decide to plug a monitor that registers the heart's electrical waves for 24-48 hours (Holter monitor) to better understand why your heart is racing.
If all the tests come out normal then anxiety can be the problem but first, important diseases should be ruled out.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
You may need to check your thyroid function and CBC
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor" service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
I would recommend you to check your thyroid function (TSH and FT4 blood tests) just to make sure your thyroid is normal.
Thyroid problems are common in women and may cause increased heart rate and patients may feel hot.
Also if you have not had a CBC recently done in the last 6 months, it is important to have it checked as anemia may cause the heart to go fast. Sometimes, the doctor may decide to plug a monitor that registers the heart's electrical waves for 24-48 hours (Holter monitor) to better understand why your heart is racing.
If all the tests come out normal then anxiety can be the problem but first, important diseases should be ruled out.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Could it be an arrhythmia? Does is seem like something that could be dangerous or cause a heart attack?
Brief Answer:
I do not think it is dangerous or putting you in risk for a heart attack
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
It is for sure that you get episodes of tachycardia, which means a heart rate over 100/min. It is considered a kind of arrhythmia but what is important is if the rhythm is regular or not. An increased heart rate but regular rhythm is called sinus tachycardia and most of the time it is not dangerous and does not put the patient at risk for a heart attack. If the rhythm is irregular we need to know if it is due to the upper chambers of the heart or the lower ones. The rhythm problems that are due to the lower heart chambers are the ones that are risky.
On the other hand, by what you explain, the episodes being so short (only a few minutes) and you have not mentioned having any other symptoms with the increased heart rate, it is unlikely this is a serious condition causing it (it is unlikely to cause a heart attack).
To conclude:
- What you explain, because the episodes are so short, they do not seem dangerous and they do not seem to put you at risk for a heart attack.
- Having an ECG report will help say for sure if there is arrhythmia or not and if there is arrhythmia, which type is it and how important it is clinically.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
I do not think it is dangerous or putting you in risk for a heart attack
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
It is for sure that you get episodes of tachycardia, which means a heart rate over 100/min. It is considered a kind of arrhythmia but what is important is if the rhythm is regular or not. An increased heart rate but regular rhythm is called sinus tachycardia and most of the time it is not dangerous and does not put the patient at risk for a heart attack. If the rhythm is irregular we need to know if it is due to the upper chambers of the heart or the lower ones. The rhythm problems that are due to the lower heart chambers are the ones that are risky.
On the other hand, by what you explain, the episodes being so short (only a few minutes) and you have not mentioned having any other symptoms with the increased heart rate, it is unlikely this is a serious condition causing it (it is unlikely to cause a heart attack).
To conclude:
- What you explain, because the episodes are so short, they do not seem dangerous and they do not seem to put you at risk for a heart attack.
- Having an ECG report will help say for sure if there is arrhythmia or not and if there is arrhythmia, which type is it and how important it is clinically.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj,
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
I had an ECG done less than 2 months ago and I had episodes of this before I had the ECG.
I normally only seem to get these episodes around the time of my period.
But yes, the longest they lasted was about 2-3 mins?
If I lie in bed, my heart will go back to normal within that time, but it is uncomfortable as I know my heart isn't supposed to be doing this.
Yes, the heart rate is quite high, close to 180?
I also only have this upon waking. I never have it any other time of the day..why is that?
I normally only seem to get these episodes around the time of my period.
But yes, the longest they lasted was about 2-3 mins?
If I lie in bed, my heart will go back to normal within that time, but it is uncomfortable as I know my heart isn't supposed to be doing this.
Yes, the heart rate is quite high, close to 180?
I also only have this upon waking. I never have it any other time of the day..why is that?
Brief Answer:
Detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
The fact that the rhythm problem happens only when you wake up does not indicate a specific condition. The only thing that may increase the incidence of rhythm changes when waking up would be anxiety or certain stressful events in the morning.
To better know why you have these episodes, it is important to have the tests above such as TSH, FT4, CBC and possible a Holter monitor of the heart's electrical activity (the 24-48 hours ECG).
Checking the ECG when you do not have the episodes has a high chance it will come out normal, which may explain why the ECG was normal. Having the Holter will examine the rhythm when you have the arhythmia as well and give a better understanding of what kind of arrhythmia it is.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
Detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
The fact that the rhythm problem happens only when you wake up does not indicate a specific condition. The only thing that may increase the incidence of rhythm changes when waking up would be anxiety or certain stressful events in the morning.
To better know why you have these episodes, it is important to have the tests above such as TSH, FT4, CBC and possible a Holter monitor of the heart's electrical activity (the 24-48 hours ECG).
Checking the ECG when you do not have the episodes has a high chance it will come out normal, which may explain why the ECG was normal. Having the Holter will examine the rhythm when you have the arhythmia as well and give a better understanding of what kind of arrhythmia it is.
I hope this answers your query. I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
