Should I Worry About My Heart Racing When I Lie Down At Night?

Feeling your heartbeat when you lie down is common because the room is quiet and you notice it more. Caffeine, stress, dehydration, alcohol, nicotine and some cold medicines can all make the heart beat faster or cause extra beats. Hormone changes around your age can also cause these feelings.

Try cutting down to one cup of coffee before noon, drink enough water, and avoid alcohol and heavy meals close to bedtime. It is still worth seeing a cardiologist, who can check your heart with an ECG and sometimes a small heart monitor you wear at home. Call emergency services right away if the racing comes with chest pain, fainting or severe shortness of breath, or if it does not settle after a few minutes.