Are Heart Palpitations When Sleeping On Right Side A Cause For Concern?

Posted on Fri, 26 Feb 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 26 Feb 2016 Answered on

Mon, 9 May 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have noticed that when I sleep on my right side I wake up to heart fluttering or palpatations. But when I turn over to my left side the fluttering/ palpatations seem to calm down. Is this something I should be seriously concerned with?

Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You have nothing to worry about.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

I understand your concern and I would reassure you that you have nothing to worry about.

These symptoms are not related to any cardiac disorder and they are not indicative of any serious medical disorder.

So relax!

These changes in heart rate could be related to just pure anxiety! They could also be partially explained with the pressure to the diaphragm and its close relation to the heart.

But this is quite normal and can happen in normal individuals.

Nevertheless, I would be happy to review your uploaded Holter reports, as soon as you have them, for another professional opinion.

A cardiac ultrasound would also help examine your cardiac function and structure.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Best wishes,

Dr. Iliri

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar