If you can recognize these warning signs of heart failure early, it could save your life or possibly prevent treatment from being successful. 10 heart disease symptoms you should know about at night.
This includes feeling difficulty in breathing that needs quick attention and waking up suddenly without knowing why. You will know what to watch for, why these are important and when to seek help before it is too late.
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Awareness on Nighttime Heart Health
Your heart does not even rest when you are asleep. Knowing how your heart behaves during those long, still nights, may prove to be a lifesaver. What this research that was conducted by the American Heart Association found was that many attacks happen between the hours of 2 AM and 6 AM, during the time that people are asleep.
Sleep is the time that your body repairs and regulates itself – so, it’s time to pay close attention to possible signs of heart issues which could turn into severe problems later.
Heart Disease Symptoms to Watch For
1. Emergency Awake at Night with Chest Discomfort
Get emergency help if you wake with chest pain; it is not something that should be taken lightly. This type of pain which is felt as pressure, squeezing or burning should not be ignored. Additionally, a December 2023 article in the Journal of Clinical Medicine showed that 68% of the cases reviewed had nighttime chest pain as the primary sign of heart diseases. The feeling could extend to your limbs, neck or jaw area too.
In fact, some actually describe chest pain as someone sitting on their chest. If this happens to you: do not wait till morning – call an emergency immediately.
The CDC says that if a person delays seeking treatment during a heart attack, he may end up with a damaged heart, or even die.
What to do:
- Sit up and try to stay calm
- Dial emergency services first of all
- Consult your doctor if you are supposed to take aspirin.
- Let emergency staff into your house through an unlocked front door
2. Irregular Heart Rhythms That Occur While Sleeping
Well, that irregular rhythm that is felt in the chest and attributed to anxiety could actually be a bit more. Heart rhythm problems, or arrhythmias, can be aggravated at night when nothing competes with them and becomes more evident.
As reported in the European Heart Journal in a 2022 study, 20-30% of adults above 65 years are affected by nocturnal arrhythmias.
Common sensations include:
- Feeling like your heart skipped a beat
- Rapid, pounding heartbeats
- Fluttering in your chest
- A sensation of something very wrong with your heart
Risk factors:
- High blood pressure
- Sleep apnea
- Excessive caffeine intake
- Stress and anxiety
- Certain medications
3. Shortness of Breath When Lying Down
Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (PND) happens if you constantly need to prop yourself up with extra pillows to breathe comfortably. The American College of Cardiology says this usually means it’s heart failure. Fluid can build up in the lungs when you lie flat because you can’t breathe.
Sleeping at a 30-degree angle can help you reduce symptoms, according to studies from the Mayo Clinic. But this is merely a bandied — you need to go to see a doctor as this can’t be fixed on its own. See the track of these episodes and where they are better or worse. The information will be useful to your healthcare provider.
4. Excessive Night Sweating
Displaying night sweats that soak through your pajamas and sheets may be more than just a too warm room. But night sweats can be a warning sign of heart disease, according to research published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings, especially if you have other symptoms as well, said a researcher.
In the body, this is a response to your heart working harder than usual to pump blood.
Key differences between normal and concerning sweats:
- Room temperature changes make the regular sweating better
- However, regardless of the room temp, heart related sweats will happen
- Shortness of breath usually accompanies medical sweats
- This may be with chest discomfort
According to a 2023 Circulation study, 30% of patients with severe heart disease said that night sweats were an early warning sign. If you have unexplained night sweats, coupled with other symptoms, then it would be wise to see your doctor.
5. Sleep Apnea and Heart Disease
Sleep apnea, and heart problems, are like buddies. And the American Academy of Sleep Medicine confirms, people with untreated sleep apnea are up to 2-4 times more likely to develop heart disease. When you hold your breath a bit when you’re sleeping, you put more stress on your heart.
Warning signs include:
- Loud snoring followed by silence
- Choking or gasping while sleeping
- Morning headaches
- Daytime sleepiness
- Difficulty concentrating
Things have moved on in terms of treatment options. CPAP machines are now much quieter and more comfortable than they used to be. Over half of people at risk for heart problems are also at risk for sleep apnea and the benefits of treating sleep apnea include a risk reduction of heart problems up to 50%.
6. Persistent Coughing at Night
If your nighttime cough won’t quit, it’s possibly your heart trying to send an SOS. The Heart Failure Society of America says a persistent cough while lying down may mean fluid has built up in your lungs from heart failure. Pink, foamy mucus usually comes out with this type of cough.
How to identify a cardiac cough:
- Worse when lying flat
- Improves when sitting upright
- Shortness of breath accompanied
- Frothy or pink tinged sputum
Research conducted at the European Journal of Heart Failure recently has shown that early diagnosis of this symptom could improve subsequent treatment. Intervention early is key; don’t wait until the cough gets bad.
7. Full night’s sleep but Extreme Fatigue
This is not how you wake up after a full night's sleep and be a fully rested person. Unusual fatigue is rarely mentioned as a symptom of heart disease, according to the American Heart Association, including women. If your heart doesn’t work properly to pump efficiently then your lips get less oxygen to every organ in your body, making you feel constantly tired.
Signs your fatigue might be heart-related:
- Minimal activity but exhaustion
- Need for frequent rest breaks
- Difficulty with daily tasks
- Mental fog and confusion
A 2022 study in Heart & Lung reported that about 70% of heart disease patients said they felt 'unusually fatigued' months before they experienced their most serious symptoms.
8. Leg and Foot Swelling Overnight
Having swollen, tired legs that you wake up with could mean your heart isn't pumping as it should be. When blood backs up in your veins, this condition, called edema, results. According to the Journal of Cardiac Failure, overnight fluid retention is a common first warning sign of heart failure.
Prevention tips:
- Elevate your legs 30 minutes before bed at heart level
- Limit salt in evening meals
- Stay active during the day
- If prescribed by your doctor, wear compression socks
9. Dizziness or Lightheadedness at Nighttime
It’s not just standing up too quickly that makes you dizzy when you get up at night. According to the American College of Cardiology, nighttime dizziness can mean that your heart isn't always supplying the proper circulation to your brain.
Safety precautions:
- Keep a night light on
- Get up slowly from lying to sitting
- Stand before sitting for a moment
- Install grab bars in bathrooms
- Keep your phone within reach
10. An Unexplained Anxiety or Restlessness
There are times when you might really be just feeling anxious, and what feels like it, might actually be a signal that your heart is sending you. New studies published in the Journal of the American Heart Association now show that unexplained anxiety, especially at night, could be one of the first signs of your heart problems.
Managing nighttime anxiety:
- Practice relaxation techniques
- Maintain a sleeping schedule
- Limit screen time before bed
- Record it all in the form of a symptom diary
When to Seek Emergency Care
Don't hesitate to call emergency services if you experience any of these heart disease symptoms:
- More than a few minutes of severe chest pain
- Sweating and difficulty breathing
- Fainting or severe dizziness
- Pain goes to the arms, neck, jaw
But the CDC says being treated within 90 minutes of heart attack symptoms can improve your chances of survival.
Prevention and Management for Heart Disease Symptoms
Building heart-healthy habits can significantly reduce your risk:
- You’ll get around 7-9 hours of quality sleep
- Continuously exercise regularly
- Follow a heart-healthy diet
- Manage stress effectively
- Keep regular medical check ups
Better Heart Health Expert Tips
Recent research in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests these daily habits:
- Do at least 30 minutes of walking a day
- Eat more plant-based foods
- Use practice stress reduction techniques
- Check your blood pressure regularly
- Let your healthcare providers stay connected with you for the sake of your health
Here’s the thing: your body often gives off warnings that something is wrong before they ever become a heart attack or fatal heart event. These heart disease symptoms are the warning signs to pay attention to, and acting promptly could save your life. If you have any concerns, you shouldn’t hesitate to discuss them with your healthcare provider – they’re your best partners in heart health.
