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Posted on Tue, 20 Oct 2020
Question: disclosure i am a nurse, every night, right as i am about to fall asleep i seem to get afib, i know its not tachycardia because i have been wearing my apple watch with heart monitor when i sleep . So this is what happens, i lay down as i am about to drift off...bam afib....aflutter? my heart just pounding softly vibrating my body, i wake up and it stops, look at my heart rate and its normal. This happens every night at least 2 times a night. I have worn a holter monitor 6 months ago, and had an echo, the holter monitor was normal, the echo showed mild regurgitation? what could be causing this, what should i do about it.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
My opinion as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome to Ask a Doctor service!

I passed carefully through your question and would explain that considering your description of your situation, I would recommend performing a new prolonged ECG Holter monitoring (48 hours or longer) in order to possibly 'catch' those episodes.

I don't think that the mild regugitation is the main cause underlying cardiac arrhythmia, as this finding usually has no clinical significance in otherwise healthy persons.

Another test to consider would be a cardiac MRI, which helps examine better the cardiac structure and function and determine the possible cause underlying cardiac arrhythmia.

Other tests I would recommend would be :

- thyroid hormone levels
- complete blood count for anemia
- blood electrolytes for possible imbalance.

In case cardiac arrhythmia is detected, starting an anti-arrhythmic drug may be necessary.

Another issue to consider as your symptoms are triggered by lying down is possible acid reflux. For this reason, I recommend avoiding large meals during lunch and trying an antiacid at lunch. If this helps improve your situation, performing a fibrogastroscopy would be needed in order to investigate for possible acid reflux or hiatal hernia.

Hope you will find this information helpful!

I remain at your disposal in case of further questions whenever you need!

Kind regards,

Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (24 minutes later)
i did upload my echo and holter reports also
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (19 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

First let me apologise for the delay, because of a busy night shift at the hospital!

I passed carefully through your reports and would explain that your cardiac ultrasound is not concerning about anything serious.

As I explained above, mild regurgitation has no clinical significance and it is not related to the arrhythmia that you are experiencing.

Regarding the ECG application uploaded, I would explain that it is not atrial fibrillation, but sinus tachycardia.

I would just recommend checking thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid gland dysfunction and try taking omeprazole coupled with the above mentioned tips, in order to investigate on possible acid reflux .

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

I remain at your disposal for any further questions whenever you need!

Please let me know about everything!

Wishing all the best,

Dr.Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9544 Questions

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Disclosure I Am A Nurse, Every Night, Right As I

Brief Answer: My opinion as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome to Ask a Doctor service! I passed carefully through your question and would explain that considering your description of your situation, I would recommend performing a new prolonged ECG Holter monitoring (48 hours or longer) in order to possibly 'catch' those episodes. I don't think that the mild regugitation is the main cause underlying cardiac arrhythmia, as this finding usually has no clinical significance in otherwise healthy persons. Another test to consider would be a cardiac MRI, which helps examine better the cardiac structure and function and determine the possible cause underlying cardiac arrhythmia. Other tests I would recommend would be : - thyroid hormone levels - complete blood count for anemia - blood electrolytes for possible imbalance. In case cardiac arrhythmia is detected, starting an anti-arrhythmic drug may be necessary. Another issue to consider as your symptoms are triggered by lying down is possible acid reflux. For this reason, I recommend avoiding large meals during lunch and trying an antiacid at lunch. If this helps improve your situation, performing a fibrogastroscopy would be needed in order to investigate for possible acid reflux or hiatal hernia. Hope you will find this information helpful! I remain at your disposal in case of further questions whenever you need! Kind regards, Dr. Ilir Sharka, Cardiologist