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What Causes Rapid Heartbeat At Night While Sleeping?
Question: Hello, I have been experiencing a rapid heartbeat at night while sleeping. 120/125 bpm, I am borderline pre-diabetic w / AM fasting sugar level between 102 & 111. The fast heart rate wakes me up and I am very thirsty, I get up drink at lot of water, urinate) walk around until my heart slows up a bit (about 1 hr) It seems that it only happens if I eat to late or have something high in sugar like cookies BEFORE FALLING TO SLEEP. So now I stopped eating high sugar foods or carbs in the last 2 weeks before I go to bed about 9:30/10pm, but even if I eat a low calorie meal late (8 or 9 pm) food seems to sit in my upper digestive track (upper tummy bloating) and I awake 3 to 4 hours later from heart pounding; thus the reason I get up to walk, drink water and keep moving for about an hour. I also feel slightly nauseated.... my legs feel like they will give out under me.( fearful ?) I get my regular check ups and the only concern is the higher borderline glucose that my physician has told me to keep active and include lifting weights. Thyroid check a few mnths back was fine. This Problem has not been that consistent but I know the rapid heart beat from sleeping is abnormal; I am not gasping for air when I awake only thirsty and can feel my heart pounding. My weight and general health is good. (past breast cancer survivor 9 yrs) my age is 56. My mother is diabetic type 2 diagnosed at age 58. I had this rapid heart beat and pounding in the last 2 months 4/5 times. I do awake 2 times at night thirsty& drink water and urinate. I do not have this happen in the day time, but if I eat chocolate or dried fruit, my heart will sometimes palpitate/or flutter a bit.
Brief Answer:
Possible Nocturnal Hypoglycemia?Loss of insulin secretion regulation.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,
I understand your query and concern.
As per your history suggested you seem to have nocturnal sudden dips in blood glucose which is contributing to symptoms of autonomic/sympathetic overdrive leading to a bout of elevated heart rates manifested as palpitations.
This is keep you awake at mid night disturbing your sleep.
These nocturnal dips in blood glucose could be related to variations in the insulin release in response to high calorie intake prior to falling asleep.This is leading to large release of insulin causing excess glucose to be removed from circulation contributing to nocturnal or early morning hypoglycemia.
The same can happen if you consume low calorie foods prior to sleep.
The sensation of bloating along with high gastric residue seem to be related to Gastroparesis,a condition of autonomic nervous system dysfunction leading to such symptoms
All these symptoms are possibly related to the loss of regulation of insulin secretion and a latent diabetic state.
Hence I advice you to have a complete testing of fasting as well as postprandial glucose levels along with HB1ac levels which predict the average glucose control over the preceding 3 months.
They are also excellent tools in diagnosing latent diabetes,particularly individuals with family history of diabetes as in your case.
I also recommend you to have a baseline EKG along with Continuous ambulatory 24 hr ecg recording to rule the possibility of cardiac conduction disturbances,which are quite prevalent in diabetic and pre diabetics.
Many of your current symptoms can be controlled with nocturnal insulin supplementation in adequate doses in proportion to the blood glucose levels.
Consultation with an Endocrinologist is pretty mandate in your case.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Possible Nocturnal Hypoglycemia?Loss of insulin secretion regulation.
Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,
I understand your query and concern.
As per your history suggested you seem to have nocturnal sudden dips in blood glucose which is contributing to symptoms of autonomic/sympathetic overdrive leading to a bout of elevated heart rates manifested as palpitations.
This is keep you awake at mid night disturbing your sleep.
These nocturnal dips in blood glucose could be related to variations in the insulin release in response to high calorie intake prior to falling asleep.This is leading to large release of insulin causing excess glucose to be removed from circulation contributing to nocturnal or early morning hypoglycemia.
The same can happen if you consume low calorie foods prior to sleep.
The sensation of bloating along with high gastric residue seem to be related to Gastroparesis,a condition of autonomic nervous system dysfunction leading to such symptoms
All these symptoms are possibly related to the loss of regulation of insulin secretion and a latent diabetic state.
Hence I advice you to have a complete testing of fasting as well as postprandial glucose levels along with HB1ac levels which predict the average glucose control over the preceding 3 months.
They are also excellent tools in diagnosing latent diabetes,particularly individuals with family history of diabetes as in your case.
I also recommend you to have a baseline EKG along with Continuous ambulatory 24 hr ecg recording to rule the possibility of cardiac conduction disturbances,which are quite prevalent in diabetic and pre diabetics.
Many of your current symptoms can be controlled with nocturnal insulin supplementation in adequate doses in proportion to the blood glucose levels.
Consultation with an Endocrinologist is pretty mandate in your case.
Post your further queries,if any.
Thank you.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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