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The first sip of coffee enters the bloodstream from the stomach and small intestine, stimulating the central nervous system. Caffeine interferes with the body’s natural ability to relax, which makes it difficult to sleep. Avoid drinking too much caffeine during the day to avoid heart palpitations at night.
5 – Body position. There is an increased risk of heart palpitations if you sleep in a reclined position. If you sleep on your side, the pressure on your heart grows and can cause palpitations. The ideal sleeping position is on your back.
6 – Cardiac conditions. A racing heart when you wake up is not necessarily a sign of something serious. If your heart has been racing when you are sitting, lying down, or sleeping, it could be an arrhythmia, ventricular tachycardia, supraventricular tachycardia, or both. Additionally, certain medications can increase the risk of heart palpitations.
7 – Heart disease. Cardiovascular disease is a severe condition that can cause a person to wake up with a rumbling heart—the causes: are high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a family history of heart disease. Heart disease also causes difficulty sleeping, as well as difficulty breathing.
8 – Activation of the vagus nerve. It is one of the nerves responsible for controlling the heart rate, and can be activated when lying on the left side of the body. This nerve passes through the neck and chest to the abdomen, and sends signals to the heart to keep it beating constantly. When this nerve is activated, it causes vibrations due to an increased heart rate.
There are many causes of a racing heart when sleeping. Stress, lack of sleep, sleep apnea, changes in blood sugar, caffeine intake, body position, and heart conditions cause your heart to race at night.
If you experience racing heartbeats when you sleep, talking to your doctor to rule out any underlying health problems is essential. Your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes or medications to control your symptoms.
However, if the racing heart is not causing health difficulties, it is perhaps an overactive vagus nerve and can be controlled with relaxation techniques and other activities.
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