The heart is one of the most important organs of the body. It works continuously for our whole life and contracts regularly about 72 times per minute. Most of the time one pays little attention to the beats of heart, unless it skips a beat or beats in an abnormal rhythm. This is called having a palpitation. On occasion, you can notice palpitations when lying down or after meals. This article tells all about the palpitations you experience when lying down.

Palpitations When Lying Down, Why?

1. Pregnancy

Pregnancy can cause the symptoms of palpitations when you lie down because hormonal changes and the increased demand on the heart during pregnancy, which must help furnish nutrients to both you and your baby. This is usually a temporary phenomenon but if it becomes frequent and associated with other symptoms, you should see your doctor right away to make sure you don't have other serious underlying causes.

2. Dehydration

Dehydration can be caused by many different things, including not drinking enough fluid and taking in too much caffeine and alcohol. Exercise can promote sweating, which can lead to dehydration and palpitations. Just take in a lot of fluids and avoid caffeine and alcohol.

3. Stress

Your palpitations when lying down may be caused by stress. Certain stress-related phenomena such as emotional trauma, anxiety or increased frustration can cause your heart to race or the feeling that the heart is skipping beats. Stress-relieving activities such as yoga and meditation can help reduce your stress and alleviate heart palpitations.

4. Some Stimulants

Some stimulants can disrupt your heart rhythm:

• Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase your metabolic rate and heart rate. If you drink too much caffeinated beverages like coffee or energy drinks, particularly before sleeping, you can experience palpitations when lying down.
• Nicotine is another stimulant you should avoid before sleeping. Nicotine can cause your heart to race and it will be noticeable when lying down.

5. Indigestion

If you overeat and then lie down, you can develop heart palpitations due to indigestion. You may also experience chest pain and heartburn at the same time. If heart attack is suspected, seek medical attention immediately.

6. Electrolyte Imbalance

If you become low in certain electrolytes, including potassium or magnesium, you might experience palpitations when lying down.

• You can get relief by taking certain vitamin supplements because they have many different minerals in it.
• Blackstrap molasses can also help by increasing iron levels in people who have heart palpitations because they suffer from iron deficiency anemia.
• When you exercise too much or are in hot weather, you perspire and lose fluid and electrolytes. You can replenish the lost electrolytes by drinking sports drinks that contain electrolytes like Gatorade or PowerAde.

7. Hormone Changes

You can have a high heart rate while at rest from certain hormonal changes. Things like perimenopause, premenstrual syndrome and menopause can lead to palpitations. A lack of estrogen can also result in heart palpitations. Some people will feel better if they use progesterone cream when the palpitations become intolerable.

8. Certain Medication

Certain drugs you take for various health reasons can result in palpitations when lying down.

• Medication used for high blood pressure or for heart valve conditions can result in fluttering of the heart even without exertion.
• Antihistamines, often used in the management of allergies, can cause palpitations of the heart.
• Medications you take over the counter, such as sleeping medication, decongestants and cold remedies, can also cause palpitations.
• Diet pills that contain caffeine or ephedrine can stimulate the heart, leading to palpitations.

9. Abnormal Thyroid Function

If you have an overactive or underactive thyroid gland, you may experience heart palpitations when you lie down. You should be evaluated by a doctor and sometimes beta blockers may be prescribed to control heart palpitations.

10. Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure can cause palpitations when lying down because it puts too much pressure on your heart and lying down just makes things worse. With this condition you may also experience shortness of breath, fluid retention and weight gain. If you experience these symptoms together, visit a doctor for further evaluation and management.

11. Open Heart Surgery

It can cause palpitation when lying down because it may disrupt your heart's natural insulation, or because the artificial heart valve can't absorb heart pulses produced by heartbeats. So after this type of procedure, you may feel palpitations, especially when you are trying to relax and lie down. Some can feel palpitations on deep inspiration or when they don't get enough sleep.

12. Other Causes

• Overactive nerve can overstimulate the heart and make heart muscles to twitch involuntarily, which feels like skipped heartbeat or palpitation. This causes discomfort but usually lasts only a few seconds.
• Excessive acid, obtained from foods like hot dogs and colas, can cause internal inflammation which can lead to heart palpitation. This happens gradually and will show symptoms at your 40s or 50s.
• If you suffer from high blood pressure and have heart enlargement, you may experience palpitations when lying down. Take medications to control blood pressure will solve this issue.
• If you don't get enough sleep, you can suffer from heart palpitations. When you make up for the sleep loss, the palpitations will usually go away.