Do you find yourself waking up completely tired and worn out every morning, unable to carry out your daily routine? If so, you’re not alone. There are a lot of factors behind morning exhaustion, the most common being lack of sleep. However, if you’re getting a full 8 hours of sleep but still wake up exhausted, the reason might be a little different. You might be dealing with obstructive sleep apnea or facing atrial fibrillation symptoms at night.
What Is Atrial Fibrillation?
Atrial fibrillation, commonly known by its acronym AFib, is a cardiovascular condition that causes your heart’s rhythm to vary. Any irregularity — for instance, a spike or a sudden dip in your heartbeat, is related to atrial fibrillation, which further causes arrhythmia.
Although it may sound like an innocent fluttering of the heart, the reality is far more dangerous. Because if AFib goes untreated, it could lead to severe outcomes, such as you suffering from a stroke or a blood clot forming in the heart.
Moreover, atrial fibrillation is commonly divided into two subtypes. Where one deals with a fast-racing heart (tachycardia), the other is associated with a heartbeat that falls below the average resting rate (bradycardia).
Atrial Fibrillation Symptoms At Night
There really isn’t a set schedule for when atrial fibrillation occurs, as it can take you by surprise at any time of the day. However, since you are in a resting state at night, the symptoms tend to be more elevated and noticeable. Here are some of the most common atrial fibrillation symptoms that arise at night.
- Vertigo or Intense Dizziness
If your heart is not pumping the right amount of blood or oxygen to the rest of your body, you might feel the effects suddenly overtake you, especially in the form of vertigo, dizziness, or a headache. - Sudden Exhaustion
A lack of oxygenated blood can also lead to extreme bouts of fatigue and tiredness. - Chest Pain
Any sensation involving pain, whether in the form of squeezing or added pressure, is a sign that insufficient blood is being supplied to the heart. - Heart Palpitations
An erratic heartbeat is quite common when atrial fibrillation is at its peak. You might feel like your heart is constantly fluttering or racing really fast. - Shortness of Breath
Naturally, when the heart fails to pump blood like normal, it can make breathing difficult, even when resting.
Treatment Options
The best way to treat and monitor atrial fibrillation symptoms is with the help of an electrocardiogram (ECG). The cardiologist simply attaches electrodes to your wrist and ankles to calculate the electrical activity displayed by the heart.
If there are no prominent signs or symptoms, the cardiologist might recommend the patient wear a remote cardiac monitoring device. This will record the heart’s activity for 24 hours or more, as necessary. Once the results are in, you might have to undergo a catheter surgery or take part in therapy to reset your heart’s rhythm, depending on the severity of the case.
Bottom Line
All in all, atrial fibrillation symptoms can occur anytime during the day, but they might rise during the night. To ensure your heart is stable and healthy, contact Octagos Health for more information. You can reach out to us at (281) 769-8733 or visit us at 13325 Hargrave Rd Suite 281, Houston, TX 77070. We are located on the first floor of the Hargrave Plaza.