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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Shortness Of Breath At Night Indicate?

When I lay down at night I wake up many times feeling like my heart has stopped and I am gasping to catch my breath. I went to the Dr. and my blood work came back fine. However, my potassium level is at 5.7, which is marked as high. My Dr said my kidneys looked fine so he wasn t concerned. I will be seeing a cardiologist next week. My question for you is, is my potassium levels something that could be causing my breathing problems? Even when I am watching tv and start to doze off, I wake up feeling like my heart stopped and I can t catch my breath. This has been going on for about a month now and it is quite frightening. I don t feel that it is associated with anxiety, I feel like there is a much more serious problem. Also, I workout every day and I feel fine during exercise. It only happens when I try to sleep or when I am really relaxed. Any advice you have for me would be greatly appreciated. God Bless!
posted on Wed, 18 Apr 2018
Twitter Thu, 10 May 2018 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 14 May 2018 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.

High potassium level is known to cause bradycardia (a decreased heart rate) or even cardiac arrest. Change your clinician, if he feels that a high potassium level is nothing to worry about.

There are a variety of therapies that help decrease potassium levels. Insulin is one of the drugs that can help decrease your potassium levels under strict supervision.

You could also be having heart issues. It may be worthwhile to undergo an electrocardiogram. Your symptoms fit with a condition known as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea or orthopnoea where lying down either immediately or after a while causes you to get severely breathless.

I don't mean to alarm you, but you should get it evaluated.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Pranav Balakrishnan
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What Does Shortness Of Breath At Night Indicate?

Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice. High potassium level is known to cause bradycardia (a decreased heart rate) or even cardiac arrest. Change your clinician, if he feels that a high potassium level is nothing to worry about. There are a variety of therapies that help decrease potassium levels. Insulin is one of the drugs that can help decrease your potassium levels under strict supervision. You could also be having heart issues. It may be worthwhile to undergo an electrocardiogram. Your symptoms fit with a condition known as paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea or orthopnoea where lying down either immediately or after a while causes you to get severely breathless. I don t mean to alarm you, but you should get it evaluated. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Pranav Balakrishnan