Are Heart Palpitations at Night Something to Worry About or is it Normal?

Birds chirping, children crying, and people laughing are some of the familiar sounds you hear on an occasional basis. But do you know what’s one sound that goes unnoticed? Your heartbeat.Usually, your heart beats at a steady yet silent rhythm, not standing out too much. It’s only when you experience heart palpitations, especially at night, that your ears perk up. Heart palpitations are loud and thunderous. It can feel like your heart is pounding in your ears, flipping around in joy.But what exactly is it that causes you to experience this? And do you only get heart palpitations at night? To find out more, keep on reading.

What are Heart Palpitations?

Heart palpitations are nothing more than your heart beating at a super fast pace. It might seem like your heart is roaring in your chest or even your throat sometimes. However, this abnormal heartbeat is simply a side effect of certain stimulants. As worrisome as it may seem, having your heart beat at an unrhythmic pace isn’t something to stress about.Plus, to better understand what exactly heart palpitations are, you need to know what they feel like. Most people describe this sensation as their heart:

• Fluttering
• Skipping a beat
• Roaring
• Intense Pounding
• Swishing
• Racing
• Hammering
• Butterflies
• Flip-flopping

What Causes Heart Palpitations at Night?

Heart palpitations rarely occur due to an underlying health condition. They’re just regular heartbeats that are slightly faster. They mainly happen when your heart misses a beat or beats too soon. Nonetheless, in most cases, heart palpitations at night arise due to the following external stimuli:

• Too much Alcohol
• Anxiety
• Drugs
• Caffeine
• Dehydration
• Stress
• Depression
• High Temperature
• Obesity
• Lack of Sleep
• Hormonal Imbalance
• Low Blood Pressure
• Anemia
• Thyroid
• Excessive Physical Activity

Why Do Heart Palpitations Occur at Night?

Most people believe that heart palpitations take place at night, but that’s not true. They can arise at any time of the day. However, certain acts like lying down, hunching, or sitting in a certain way can make the thundering in your chest seem exceptionally loud. This is because these positions tend to increase the pressure on your heart, causing it to beat loudly.In addition, taking note of a heart beating fast during the day, when you’re busy or distracted with other things, can be a little hard. On the other hand, when you lie down at night, relaxed, the palpitations can be more noticeable.

Heart Palpitations Treatment Options

Since heart palpitations are not something severe, there aren’t any medical treatments for them. Nonetheless, there are certain methods you can follow to decrease the intense pounding in your chest. Here are a few ways you can try to do so:

• Take timed, deep breaths
• Meditate
• Alternate between different breathing patterns
• Drink some water
• Roll around on the bed
• Go for a short walk

Don’t Let Your Heart Skip a Beat!

To sum it up, heart palpitations at night are nothing to be worried about. However, if you get them on a daily basis, it’s better to get checked out. In such a case, contact NorthWest Cardiovascular Clinic at (281) 807-5253 to schedule an appointment today.