Tachycardia in the middle of the night...

[JibbyJabba]

Anyone ever wake up with their heart racing?

Now, when it's from a dream where I am angry or scared, that's one thing.

However, it happens every now and again when I am not dreaming...

It ALWAYS (but not only) happens when I have been drinking alcohol in the evening preceeding bedtime... no matter how little or how much. And it's wierd because the severity of it does not coincide with how much I drink. For instance, I can drink a whole lot and I'll wake up in the middle of the night with my heart beating only a little too fast for my liking. However, last night I had only a couple drinks and I woke up during the night and it was freaking pounding... it always subsides after about 30 seconds.

My BP is fine today, as it always is... I am in excellent shape with very low BF... not currently on cycle (about to be).

I do havea slight heart murmur... when the cardiologist examined it last year he said it was no big deal.

Anyone have anything like this happen?

Thanks!

JJ

 

[JibbyJabba]

^^

 

[rjl296]

Tachycardia- the only time ive ever had it was when I had heatstroke, ya might wanna ask your doc about it

 

[geoffgarst]

Hi JibbyJabba - I believe, from you have described, is that you are having Tachycardia (elevated HR).

What kind of heart murmur? Aortic, Mitral, Pulmonic, or Tricuspid? Any history of rheumatic fever?

I would recommend abstaining from alcohol if at all possible or having it in moderation. These are effects of alcohol on heart muscle and with long term use, alcohol can cause arrhythmias that do not resolve and a decrease in heart function. Some people are sensitive to alcohol and develop heart rhythm disturbances in the upper or lower chambers of the heart including atrial fibrillation, PACs or PVCs (extra beats in the upper and lower chambers of the heart) and supraventricular or ventricular tachycardia (rapid heart rates from the upper or lower chambers of the heart). Often this is called "Holiday Heart"

Tachycardia is seen in intoxication with alcohol, amphetamines, sympathomimetics, atropinics, tricyclic antidepressants, theophylline, salicylates, phencyclidine, and cocaine.

Somatropin (HGH) can also cause tachycardia. Tachycardia can be caused by an abnormally high level of thyroid hormones.

People that have murmurs (leaky valves due to sclerosis, degereration, or other) are much more likely to have Tachycardia, especially if it is induced by alcohol or other drugs as I mentioned above. Do you know what grade of murmur you have? I, II, III, IV - Severe murmurs can cause enlargement of the heart. I would be very careful about doing a cycle until you know more about your murmur. If it is a grade I or II, then it is mild. Mumurs, as I mentioned above, are leaky valves. The blood is supposed to be going one direction, but leaks back into the chamber it just came from. This, over a period of time, can cause elargement of that chamber. Now, I often see patients, that have been diagnosed by their family physician to have a murmur, and then I diagnose them with what is called a "functional murmur" - most likely with no know etiology (cause). This is a valve that makes an odd noise, but does not leak and does not show signs of valvular degeneration.

I would make sure you know some details about your heart - maybe have an extensive physical before getting on a cycle. You do not want to compound an existing heart problem. I sincerely hope I have been of benefit to you and have answered some of your questions. I should mention it is impossible to actually diagnose someone over the internet. You should see a qualified cardiologist to be fully and accurately diagnosed. Good luck,

Geoff
Board Certified
Cardiac Perfusionist
Vascular Specialist

PS: Karma is always welcome.

I hope this is of help to you.

 

[JibbyJabba]

Hi JibbyJabba - I believe, from you have described, is that you are having Tachycardia (elevated HR).

What kind of heart murmur? Aortic, Mitral, Pulmonic, or Tricuspid? Any history of rheumatic fever?

I would recommend abstaining from alcohol if at all possible or having it in moderation. These are effects of alcohol on heart muscle and with long term use, alcohol can cause arrhythmias that do not resolve and a decrease in heart function. Some people are sensitive to alcohol and develop heart rhythm disturbances in the upper or lower chambers of the heart including atrial fibrillation, PACs or PVCs (extra beats in the upper and lower chambers of the heart) and supraventricular or ventricular tachycardia (rapid heart rates from the upper or lower chambers of the heart). Often this is called "Holiday Heart"

Tachycardia is seen in intoxication with alcohol, amphetamines, sympathomimetics, atropinics, tricyclic antidepressants, theophylline, salicylates, phencyclidine, and cocaine.

Somatropin (HGH) can also cause tachycardia. Tachycardia can be caused by an abnormally high level of thyroid hormones.

People that have murmurs (leaky valves due to sclerosis, degereration, or other) are much more likely to have Tachycardia, especially if it is induced by alcohol or other drugs as I mentioned above. Do you know what grade of murmur you have? I, II, III, IV - Severe murmurs can cause enlargement of the heart. I would be very careful about doing a cycle until you know more about your murmur. If it is a grade I or II, then it is mild. Mumurs, as I mentioned above, are leaky valves. The blood is supposed to be going one direction, but leaks back into the chamber it just came from. This, over a period of time, can cause elargement of that chamber. Now, I often see patients, that have been diagnosed by their family physician to have a murmur, and then I diagnose them with what is called a "functional murmur" - most likely with no know etiology (cause). This is a valve that makes an odd noise, but does not leak and does not show signs of valvular degeneration.

I would make sure you know some details about your heart - maybe have an extensive physical before getting on a cycle. You do not want to compound an existing heart problem. I sincerely hope I have been of benefit to you and have answered some of your questions. I should mention it is impossible to actually diagnose someone over the internet. You should see a qualified cardiologist to be fully and accurately diagnosed. Good luck,

Geoff
Board Certified
Cardiac Perfusionist
Vascular Specialist

PS: Karma is always welcome.

I hope this is of help to you.

Definitely KArma for that response...

Thanks bro!

I've been to the cardiologist and I don't believe he defined my murmur in terms of grade... though, I may just not recall.

It's a tricuspid murmur... here's how I recall him describing it to me. From what he says, we have valves in our heart that are split like a Mercedes symbol... the top prong in my mercedes symbol is not formed all the way, and this is the what is causing my murmur. Pardon the simple explanantion, but this is all I recall... the cardiologist did emphasize that it's pretty benign and that I might have to have it operated on when I am much older...

Laying off the booze is probably a good idea... though it's hard at my age.

I am going to request my records from my cardiologist and hopefully I can get more detail about my situation...

Thanks again!

JJ

 

[Generic MALE]

Geoff, that was a really good post. One point is tat murmurs are not just leaks they can also be due to "stenotic lesions" in which the valve is hard to open up. One type of murmur (insufficiency, leaking valve, regurgitation) is like a door that won't completely close, so blood backwashes back in. The other (stenotic) is like a door with rusty hinges that opens partially or with great difficulty, often causing a jetting of blood rushing in and can also increase risk of blood clots from turbulant flow of blood. There are also other murmurs, such as from Patent ductus arteriosis which is a special valve we have in the womb but can persist in some people into adulthood. There are also some murmurs that are considered normal variants that occur only in certain positions or during a deep breath.

Jibby, it sounds like you have a grade I murmur if your MD says its no big deal. The worst murmurs, by definition, you can hear without a stethoscope with your ear several inches from the patients chest. its pretty wild, if its quiet you can actually hear the rumble coming from their chest while you stand in front of them. But with murmurs that severe you often get other symptoms.

As Geoff mentioned, lots of conditions can cause arrythmias even if they are transient. There is idiopathic tachycardia which means it has no known cause and does not seem to be linked to any problems of any significance.

Are you sure its tachycardia (a heart rate greater than 80 beats per minute). have you taken your pulse when this happens and actually seen how fast it is beating?

You might be having instead what is called palpitations which is in laymans terms just being aware your heart is beating. When you are asleep and there is nothing else to pay attention to it can become more noticeable.

When did you last see your cardiologist? Did you tell him about this? They might want to hook you up to a Holter monitor - which is an EKG you wear for 24 hours. It can help detect transient murmurs or arrythmias which come and go.

 

[JibbyJabba]

Thank You for the response!

Are you sure its tachycardia (a heart rate greater than 80 beats per minute). have you taken your pulse when this happens and actually seen how fast it is beating?

It never last longer than 30 seconds, with about 20 seconds being the average. I would have to estimate that it is well above 80 beats per minute when it happens (my resting heartrate being around 55 BPM), though I've never taken my pulse when it happens.

You might be having instead what is called palpitations which is in laymans terms just being aware your heart is beating. When you are asleep and there is nothing else to pay attention to it can become more noticeable.

It's definitely not just more noticeable... its faster and much more forceful.

When did you last see your cardiologist? Did you tell him about this? They might want to hook you up to a Holter monitor - which is an EKG you wear for 24 hours. It can help detect transient murmurs or arrythmias which come and go.

Yeah... I am thinking I need to make an appointment.

 

[geoffgarst]

Generic Male is correct in his response on the valves (stenotic lesions, etc). I just did not go into that much detail. Stenotic lesions are from sclerosis of the valve which we also call valvular degeneration.

The tricuspid valve is the valve on the right side of the heart leadind from the right atrium to the right ventricle. If it is not completely formed, then it sounds if it is Congenital (since birth). While, the tricuspid is important, it is not nearly as important as the left side of the heart. Try to find the grade out. Did you have an Echo? If so, you might be able to get a copy of it and on it would be a the report of the Tricuspid valve and how much it is leaking. Generally, it is a recorded velocity. This would be helpful too.

A holter monitor would be a very good idea. It is not an expensive exam. It is a simple test for 24 hours.

Geoff

 

[JibbyJabba]

Generic Male is correct in his response on the valves (stenotic lesions, etc). I just did not go into that much detail. Stenotic lesions are from sclerosis of the valve which we also call valvular degeneration.

The tricuspid valve is the valve on the right side of the heart leadind from the right atrium to the right ventricle. If it is not completely formed, then it sounds if it is Congenital (since birth). While, the tricuspid is important, it is not nearly as important as the left side of the heart. Try to find the grade out. Did you have an Echo? If so, you might be able to get a copy of it and on it would be a the report of the Tricuspid valve and how much it is leaking. Generally, it is a recorded velocity. This would be helpful too.

A holter monitor would be a very good idea. It is not an expensive exam. It is a simple test for 24 hours.

Geoff

OK...

I am going to get ahold of the doctor's office on Monday... I beleive I did have an echo done...

Thank you so much!

JJ

 

[geoffgarst]

Good luck at the doctor's office and keep me informed!

Geoff