Symptoms of AFib at Night during Sleep

When symptoms of AFib-atrial fibrillation and sleep apnea coincide during sleep, it often results in daytime lethargy. Some of the symptoms you will see during nighttime sleep with atrial fibrillation include chest pain, dizziness, faster heart rate, etc. There are times when some individuals with AFib may not notice any indications of any sort, but others might experience palpitations and shortness of breath along with the one mentioned above. Let’s discuss this in more detail.

Atrial Fibrillation Signs That Peak at Night

The appearance of AFib symptoms does not wait for nighttime to occur; they may happen during daytime, too. However, since the body is more relaxed at night, it may make the symptoms more noticeable. A few of the common signs include:

1. Anginal Chest Pain
   When there is a deviation (decrease) in blood supply to your heart, you may experience a form of chest pain commonly referred to as angina. In such a case, signs like squeezing or pressure are vivid. Moreover, the discomfort due to it may extend to the upper back, arms, neck, or even ears.
2. Dizziness
   When the heart lacks adequate blood flow, it impacts other organs, including the brain, triggering dizziness that may be mild to moderate. In severe cases, some might also experience nausea and vomiting, fainting, or temporary loss of consciousness are possible.
3. Fatigue
   Proper oxygenated blood flow is required for your body to get the energy it needs to work. Therefore, you experience fatigue while resting or working. Fatigue, too, is an atrial fibrillation symptom that occurs at night.
4. Heart Palpitations
   Chest palpitations from erratic heartbeats at night are the main symptom of having AFib. Since atrial fibrillation increases your heart rate, these flutters and thumping sensations are common.
5. SOB – Shortness of Breath
   Struggling with shortness of breath at night for a person with atrial fibrillation is due to fluid build-up in the lungs, leading to difficulty in breathing. This may happen even if you are at rest or performing light activities. This is the reason why breathing difficulties are a common complication of people with AFib.
6. Other Signs
   Apart from these, you may also experience these atrial fibrillation symptoms at night:
   • Night sweats
   • Waking up with a weird feeling in the chest
   • Anxiety in the morning

What’s with AFib Symptoms Worsening At Night?

Here’s the science behind AFib signs aggravating at night.

During sleep, the body’s electrical activity in the heart, including the SA (sinoatrial) node, also known as the natural pacemaker, becomes less organized. This can create room for abnormal electrical signals to originate in the atria, leading to atrial fibrillation (AFib).

Individuals with sleep apnea are at increased risk for developing AFib. Here’s why:

• Less oxygen flow during sleep: During sleep apnea episodes, the body experiences temporary cessation of oxygen that stresses the heart. Ultimately contributing to the development of abnormal electrical activity.
• Inflammation: Sleep apnea is associated with chronic inflammation, which can damage heart tissue and increase the risk of AFib.
• Increased activity of the autonomic nervous system: OSA disrupts the balance of the ANS, which can be a contributing factor to irregular heart rhythms.

Closing Note

In a nutshell, the atrial fibrillation symptoms that occur at night include chest pain, fatigue, palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Whatever your symptoms are, contact Dr. Rajesh Ramineni, a 5-star rated cardiologist in The Woodlands, certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine in the field of Echocardiography at Healthy Living Heart and Vein, to deal with your needs. You can consult us at (936) 978-0466 to schedule an appointment. Your health is our priority, and we are ready to assist you in every way possible.