Hello,

My name is Sandi and I'm 43 years old, soon to be 44 [in April]. My racing heart beats started a couple of years ago. It's gotten worse over the last year. It usually wakes me up in the middle of the night, but I've had a couple of daytime episodes.

So far, I've had a treadmill test and scored excellent and an echo which was normal.

The last episode I had was this past Weds and it was the worst yet. Generally, the episodes hit me if I'm lying on my left-side, but this time I was sleeping soundly on my right side and WHAM out of the blue, at 3:30am I'm wide awake because of my heart pounding and racing. It took longer to slow down this time: about 30 minutes instead of 10. I had some heart burn and a gassy feeling. I felt faint, like usual and had that weird sensation in my chest, but not crushing. Oh, and my throat will get tight too.

I do not panic, at least not to my knowledge. Maybe I'm having a panic attack in my sleep?? My only sister died 2 years ago at age 43, and the worst of my racing heart [more frequent] started right before my 43 birthday. However, the episodes are very real. I've been to ER with them and all they find is elevated BP and tachycardia. I do know that caffeen and certain foods irrtate it, as well as eating too close to bedtime.

I want to say this site is a blessing. I've felt like I was losing my mind. My doctor is wonderful and I am going to have more tests. I shared with him some of what I read here and he's going to do a saliva test to check my hormones.

One more thing, my hair has begun turning grey and I am starting to need reading glasses: all in the last year! Is this all related to meani-paws?

Thanks for reading my long post. I'm scared. This last time I really thought I was dying. I was calm, but still felt like I was dying.

Smiles and Tears,
Sandi

Hi Sandi! My name is Dianne and I'm 43 and will be 44 in April also. I almost could have written your post. I started waking in the middle of the night with a pounding heart two years ago. The weird feelings in my chest and throat closing are familiar too. It does seem to be worse if I lay on my left side.

I was diagnosed with reflux and take Nexium now. I also take .25 mg of Xanax before bed. No more waking, no more racing heart. I didn't like the idea of taking the xanax every day, but now I figure it's not that much and it helps me sleep. If I sleep, I'm much healthier than if I don't.

It's great that you have a wonderful supportive Dr. You will find this site very helpful also.


Dianne

Sandi, You are not alone. Your symptoms could be related to the death of your sister. My Father passed away one year ago today and since his death, I have suffered from palpitations, and anxiety. I found out from my therapist, that this is commonly called cardiophobia. Its a form of health anxiety that comes from believing that the same thing is going to happen to you. Of course, being in menopause or peri doesn't help either. I still fight this every day, but it has helped me to understand what is going on.

Does yours wake you up in the middle of the night? Mine happens out of the clear blue with no warning. I can be resting soundly with nothing on my mind and then all of a sudden my heart starts beating really fast.

I don't panic, or seem to be upset, or hyperventilating; you know, like running around or jumping up and saying "I'm dying, I'm dying." I always stay really calm and try not to let it overwhelm me. How long after your father died did yours start? Are they in the middle of the night?

My sister committed suicide and was dead for several days before her body was found. The whole thing was kind of gruesome and naturally very sad. I am for all purposes, doing much better with the grief. There are several sites for grief and loss that were and are very helpful; especially in dealing with suicide.

Anyway, thanks so much for sharing your experience. I do believe that at least part of this IS linked to her death. However, part of it is physical. There's a click in my heart that two different docs have heard that only occurs when I lay on my left side. They thought it was MVP, but my echo was okay. So, I try to "stay off of my left side lol!"

However, this time it happened on the while on the right side; waking me up at 3:30. Heart disease runs in our family so my doc wants to rule out any chance of a blockage with a calcium scoring test and if it's high a subsequent angiogram.

To be honest, I think it's all my hormones coupled with some unconscious anxiety over my sister's death. We were 23 months apart in age and I have no other siblings. I'm at the right age to be starting menopause

I honestly believe, with the grey hair sprouting, the eyes going bad, and the new bumps on my behind the fact that my body is starting to behave in a way that is really annoying at times, that these racing heart episodes have a LOT to do with peri or meno. I've told my doc this, and that I thought is was partially anxiety, but of course, he has to do his job and make sure it's not.

After all, women die all the time of heart attacks because we are not taken seriously. On the flip-side, some docs minimize menopause. Luckily, I have a great doc who uses alternative medicine in conjunction with traditional; that is if the patient prefers, and most of us do.

So, once again, do your episodes wake you up at night and did your therapist put you on any medication to ease the problem? I can't take zoloft or anything like that it makes me shaky, causes me insomnia, worst of all I have black-outs. Top that off with the fact that it's what my sister used it to kill herself with and I'm mortified of any of the SRIs.

Thank you for sharing. It helps.

Sandi

My racing heart used to wake me up from a sound sleep, usually around 2:30-3 am. My anxiety issues started when my dad had a serious stroke. He was an active independent man one day and completely dependent the next. All of a sudden, I had to take over everything for him. It also came with a great deal of grief, because the father I knew was gone. I agree that the racing heart could have to do with the grief and anxiety over heart disease. My mom died of a heart attack at 60, so I think about that often too.

Hi there,
The middle of the night is a very common time to be woken up with tachycardia. I had SVT (heart beat in the 200's!) and it only came on me at night when I was sound asleep. I definitely think that you might benefit from some grief counseling. I thought that I had no issues either, but there is a reason why our nervous system reacts in such a way during the night. Of course, the perimenopause hormones do not help! Panic and anxiety come about in lots of ways. Not everyone becomes completely agitated. My condolences on the loss of your sister. God Bless You. I wish you health and healing. I have posts in the anxiety section that you might like to read. Lisa

LisaMac..

"Completely agitated," is probably an accurate phrase to describe what many of us feel all the time. Especially those of us who have recently lost a family member. I, too, have incredible family stresses from very old parents who need my help, from adult children who need my help, to friends to are suffering..I find myself trying to recall the time when life was calm and structured.. A time when each day was fairly predictable and I cannot capture, even momentarily any emotion from those good times in my thoughts. At the moment I am concerned about my daughter, whose life is very stressful and who has developed borderline high blood pressure. She is married to an older man, who has health problems and, though he is a good family man, he is very uncomfortable in social situations..She is outgoing and loves people but is stifled because of this difference. It also means that she has to do all the running with the children, all the shopping for the family, grocery and otherwise, all the interaction with the world at large and it is stressing her out. She loves the guy but life with him is hard. So, I carry stressful emotions for her. In addition, another daughter has just had a miscarriage..Her first, and that has been hard for all of us. So, in addition to the wildly fluctuating hormones inside us, this time in life can hand upheavals and changes which are hard to deal with emotionally and psychologically. Those things, over time imbalance us in ways medicine does not yet understand. The advice we get here about diet, relaxation, natural supplements, medicines, and HRT are very helpful, but the best medicine we get here is support from one another. I am so glad I live in this century as a woman rather than in 500 A.D. as a woman!

Hi there-
Sorry to hear about the stress in your life. Hills and valleys, that's for sure. Those valleys can sure get ya down. I just wanted to let you know that I was diagnosed with high blood pressure last June during some very stressful times. Things have levelled off for me and my BP is excellent now. This only added to my stressors - wish someone would have told me that it may be a 'life situation' that could be causing my problem - I think I could have relaxed a bit more and it may have been lowered earlier. Now if I can keep this anxiety and fluxuating hormoes in perspective.... hang in there, and try to live your life, accept the things to cannot control and to keep in the present. Life happens.

Hi Everyone,

Just wanted to add a reply to the stresses of life and what it can do to our bodies. but also give some words of encouragement to those of you who are stressed out.
I too have had a lot of stressors this past year. To begin with, last October my husband had a a routine check up at which time the doctor told him he wanted to do a treadmill stress test. One week later he was having a double bypass. Following his recovery (which was very stressful for me) my close knit extended family literally fell apart over disagreements on the treatment of my elderly grandmother after she fell and broke her hip. Then my nieces health took a turn for the worse (she was born with alot of birth defects) and we were afraid we would lose her. During all this I was helping to plan the wedding of our oldest son. Yes, usually the parents of the groom don't do much but I am a wedding coordinator and seamstress so I did alot of help with the plans. Just before summer hit my husband and I both had some incredible stressors at our jobs. Then by August my little niece passed away. I have a father who is having health issues as well.

AT any rate, my year was incredible. By October of this year I started in with all these peri symptoms which landed me in the ER. The doctor told me at that time that even though we think we are handling all that life throws our way the body does get to the point where it says enough is enough. And our autonomic nervous system basically caves in. After he told me that I had nothing wrong with me he told me to make sure I was getting plenty of rest, exercise, eating a good diet, you know all the things we know is good for us and in time the body does heal. Sometimes we do need medication to help us get there. He gave me Xanax to take at night to help me sleep. He said sleeping is so important. I am not a person who likes to take drugs but sleeping is so important and it has been helpful to have something on those nights when sleep will not come.

My doctor also mentioned that stress eats hormones. So if you have had alot of stress it can throw the hormonal balances off. I've rambled on long enough but just hang in there. We will make it through this time in our lives. You all have been an encouragement to me, and I hope I can be of encouragement to someone else by sharing a little of my experience.

Maeflower, sorry to hear of your recent troubles. I had a year like that too...Dad was terminally ill, then died, DH had heart attack, then lost his job...my employers were awful to me and I nearly had a breakdown. I was glad to read that you had supportive health care. It's amazing how our bodies shut down... It's also amazing when **** happens it comes in bucketloads til you wonder how much more you can take!

Perhaps it does make you stronger but I wouldn't wish it on my enemies.

Welcome to a most supportive and informative site!

I am reading that your sister died at 43 and you are APPROACHING 43. Perhaps there is a correlation and when asleep, your subconscious mind is creating all kinds of scenarios and this is affecting your vasomotor symptoms, really making them super sensitive. Try breathing in through your nose on the count of four, hold to the count of eight and breathe out through your mouth to the count of eight. That should disperse the adrenalin, which seems to be in higher than normal amount when you wake up in the middle of the night. Do this exercise about four times, otherwise you just may get light headed. If not, continue until you feel better. Do this anytime anxiety rears itself. I do hope you feel better, Sandi.

MaeFlower - Things have GOT to get better for you. Your post meant a lot to me. What your dr. said about the breaking point - think I hit it on Dec. 15. I hope he's right that in time it will repair. I had a similar year, husband actually flipped a four-wheeler up and onto himself - broke many bones including pelvic in seven places, was in a nursing home for a month. I've got a 9 and 11 year old and didn't work, so IT SCARED ME TO DEATH! He's okay now, but I still feel the effects. Anyhow, recently failed at my first attempt at a job that caused more great stress and I can't seem to get it together now. I really need to stop the 'what-ifs' - but it gets you wondering if you can handle life's future 'stuff'. You certainly had your share!

Alice - I'm sorry to hear what you've been through! It's certainly encouraging to see how well you've pulled through. I enjoy your posts every day. Thanks for those daily grins

Hi WingWalker,
Just want to encourage you to hang in there and not give up. Sometimes it is so hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel but eventually it does come. Keep in touch with all your buddies here on PS. I have found so much encouragement just reading everyone's posts. It is so amazing the support and love I have found here. My year was definitely the year from hell. The only bright spot was the marriage of our son to a wonderful girl. Even though that was stressful as far as the planning and money spent it was a good kind of stress.

I believe the stress of my last year is what excellerated my entrance into the perimenopause stage. I had one doctor that said he didn't think that was possible and really didn't even support that there is a perimenopause stage. But another doctor has told me that this is very possible. Many time traumatic events and high stress can do that. Sometimes it is hard to know what doctors to believe since they many times give conflicting information. But what I have found I have to do is to protect myself. If I know that a certain situation, whether it is a conversation, or an activity, or hearing of someone elses problems or issues, etc. is going to cause me stress I try to avoid it if possible. I have come to realize that when I get stressed my peri symptoms take off to a higher level. Sometimes you can't avoid stresses of life but there are always ones you can. Also, exercise has brought a lot of relief to me. I try to exercise 30 to 45 mins ever day and I notice I feel so much better when I do that.

I'll be thinking of you and praying that things begin to get better. Keep in touch with us all here on PS.
Maeflower

Hey Maeflower-
Thanks for the encouragement. Definitely true about steering clear of the negative if possible. Positive things in and positive things out. Can't hardly read the newspaper anymore. I say to my mom 'but geez, before kids I could have handled the job and then some' she points out to me 'you're not her anymore'. I look in the mirror and it looks like me - but yes, I am different - mellower and more introverted I guess. Wish I wouldn't have 'hit the bar' so hard. The climb back up it an eye opener that's for sure. I hate the 'what-ifs' about handling the future. Yesterday I actually thought (in one of my recent panics) and dreaded my daughter's graduation - SHE'S NINE FOR CRYING OUT LOUD (whatever that means). And shortly after I read an article about a man who visits his wife's grave daily and STARTED BAWLING. Basketcase is the appropriate term... husband looks at me like Poor fella. Anyway, rambling here. Thanks again.

I used to do the same thing too Wingwalker. In fact I can remember crying in my bunk-bed, aged nine, in the family home because when I grew up I would have to leave home and sleep in a different bed.

Those worries come throughout life. Don't you remember , when your daughter was a baby what-iffing you weren't around when your daughter was growing up? If I had known that at 50 both parents would be gone and daughter would be grown up and living in her own home I would have flipped - but it's life. We move on to some other "adventure". Good or bad, we have no real control. There's nothing more certain than uncertainty.

And you know what...you get over it!

Dear Girlfriends..

I will pray for all..Spring is almost here and I hope with it will come some major relief from these incredible stresses..Gotta go.

The racing heart at night is something that has just started to happen to me. It doesn't happen very often and I don't feel panicked when it happens. It only lasts a very short time....just a couple of minutes or so and then it starts slowing back down. I assume it is peri related. I will be sleeping and then wake up slighty to roll over and my heart will start speeding up, get fast for a bit and then slow back down...It never happens in the daytime. I am pretty sure adrenalin is the culprit though because after is slows back down I feel shaky and one time several years ago I had an anesthetic injected into my cervix which contained adrenalin and the dr. warned me that my heart would race for a couple minutes and then slow back down and my body would shake...this is the exact same feeling so I am assuming I am getting an adrenalin rush at night sometimes....Episodes of rapid heartbeat are one of the 34 symptoms of menopause....I get the skipped heartbeats too and I hate them...I will be glad when this all goes away.....

[SIZE=7]hi: i to am blessed with this problem but i have been dealing with it all my life when i was a child it would happen if i was laying in bed with my leg up crossed over the other an reading a book doctor told mother not to worry i will out grow it well i did but then one day when i was 24 it came back with avengence.. got so scared i went to the ER an iot was still going on an the called it p.a.t. pulmonery arteral tacecardia [well not sure how to speell it sorry] they say its nothing to worry about so i didnt the next one came about a year later then every few months then every few weeks.. then it stopped for a few years then it came back an its on an off when ever it wants to be mine last about an hour beating at about 160 to 180 per minute instinic told me that maybe holduing my breath would make it snap back to normal an yes it did an low an behold i finally got a computer an looked it up an right on the web site it says holding breath helps put it back to normal rythem... i get them it i cough an take a deep breath at the same time or when trying to clear out chest if i have a cold or sometimes in a pieceful sleep.. lately since i started menapause i noticed that the pains in chest from the over beating are more serveare an that holding my breath is now making me feel like im passing out. had stress test an echo card gram an there all normal... but have blood pressure of 160 over 100 but with the water pill im on my last 3 visits were 130 over 80..so i start to think that maybe my heart is getting tired of this abuse an it wants to spot for good an that scares the crap out of me,, im not ready yet..only thing i know is that when it goes back to normal its as if it never happened an so you just carry on with your life also noticed that i dont get them while laying on my left arm only when im on my right arm .. an it wont go away at all while im on my right arm...if it happens while im doing some thing i go lay on my bed on my back an try to relax an dont move around to much an start holding breath after about 10 minutes of being tired of feeling my heart coming thru my chest. for the most part i just live with it...

Hello Ladies,

MIne wakes me up from a sleep. I am on beta blockers and Xanex and I still will wake up from a pounding, racing heart.

It really scares the poop out of me and I give all the women out there credit who just deal with it. This is everyday!

I don't want to deal with it, I want to find out WHY it is happening and then find the cure for it.

UGH, this whole thing is just too much to handle.

((Hugs))
Jenny

My racing heart would not stop, I first had the feeling it was going fast, the Dr. switched my BP meds and I thought it would go away. Then, on a Fri. I woke up at 4am with racing again. It lasted through Fri. into Sat. and by Sat. night I hadn't gotten any rest so I went to the emergency room. Naturally it seemed to be better there, heart rate was normal,they took xrays, EKG, blood work, everything was normal. They figured it may be stress related, but couldn't tell me how to stop the racing feeling. Am I supposed to go to the ER again? If I feel it may be starting again I tell myself that my heart is okay, but I worry that it will happen again (more stress)!! Lynn