What Causes Rapid Heart Beats?

Posted on Fri, 28 Mar 2014

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

Fri, 28 Mar 2014 Answered on

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Good Morning, Three times this week, I've experienced waking up to a rapid heart beat between 2-4am. This is accompanied with a nervous feeling. No chest pain or shortness breath. When I try and take deep breaths then my heart rate seems to go back to normal. Sleep study test 5 months ago came back normal. Wore a heart monitor only thing showed is heart palpitations which dr states is ok. Resting HR is 53. I do have high bp and newly diagnosed with diabetes but it's controlled with metformin. Any suggestions.

Answered by Dr. Guru (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: I suggest to repeat EKG and Holter monitoring. Detailed Answer: Hi, Thanks for consulting HealthcareMagic! Anxiety may be one of the causative factor. However, heart related pathologies should be the main concern. Physical examination gives much better idea. I suggest to repeat EKG and Holter monitoring. 2D echo also gives an idea. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if you have have any clarifications. If you like my answers and wish me to answer in future, bring it to my attention: Dr Vasanth. Url link is as follows: http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-vasanth/66057 Wish you good health!

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