Heart palpitations at night when lying down

Quiet surroundings make internal sensations easier to notice, and lying position can change how heartbeat movements are felt in the chest. Late meals, reflux, caffeine, alcohol, nicotine, dehydration, stress and poor sleep may contribute. Palpitations can also present with Anaemia, Hyperthyroidism, Hypoglycaemia or an irregular rhythm such as Atrial Fibrillation.

Breathlessness that is worse when lying flat, swelling, unusual tiredness or waking gasping needs clinical attention because Heart Failure is one possible explanation. A symptom pattern cannot establish a diagnosis by itself.

Sit up or change position when the sensation begins, and breathe slowly without straining. Keep a record of bedtime, meals, drinks, medicines, sleep quality, duration and whether the rhythm feels regular. Limit personal triggers in the evening and keep hydrated unless a clinician has advised fluid restriction.

Arrange a review if episodes repeat, disturb sleep, occur with exertion or are associated with dizziness. A clinician can assess your history and decide whether checks such as a pulse assessment or heart tracing are needed.

Seek emergency help for palpitations with chest pain, severe breathlessness, fainting, confusion, severe dizziness or a heartbeat that remains very fast or irregular. Get urgent advice for new breathlessness when lying flat, waking gasping, or rapidly increasing ankle swelling.

Could my position, reflux, hydration, medicines or sleep be contributing? Should I check for anaemia, thyroid changes, glucose or an irregular rhythm? Would a monitor help capture an episode that happens only at night?