Heart problem or just something periodic?

Question

during easter vacations, i experienced a truly horrid situation.

while i was trying to sleep, my heart started beating really fast, and i was fully paralyzed for some seconds. i couldn't move my legs and hands and i was trying to call for help but i couldn't speak. after some seconds it stopped.but it happened a lot of nights, i could have 5 immobility attacks. suddenly it stopped, but another night i experienced it again.do you know what it is? and if it's serious enough to visit a doctor, or wait for it to strike again?

Answer 1

If it only happens when you are trying to sleep or waking up, then it sounds like Sleep Paralysis. Its quite common and pretty harmless (though scary). Typically someone will find themselves unable to move or speak, and sometimes will feel very strongly a presence in their room (happened to me before). The racing heart was probably due to the panic of not being able to move. Sometime people feel they can't breath. The symptoms pass quickly and completely. Usually happen in bed falling asleep or waking up. For reassurance you could still see your doctor, but as long as you're not experiencing any other problems (and as long as your getting enough sleep) no need to worry.

Answer 2

This sounds like sleep paralysis. The muscles are naturally paralyzed by the central nervous system when we sleep--it's the reason we don't walk around during our sleep. However, sometimes our consciousness does not dial down at the same time as our muscles are being sedated by the mix of hormones that signal time to sleep. As a result, we are "aware" of our paralyzed bodies.

It takes a minute for the body to recognize that the command center --our brain--is still awake, and to send the signal to wake the rest of us up.