Your heart may beat fast when you wake up due to several common reasons:
- Stress and anxiety can cause the release of hormones like adrenaline, which increase heart rate. This can happen even if you're not fully aware of the stress while sleeping.
- Blood sugar changes, especially a spike or low blood sugar, may trigger your heart to race.
- Sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality can leave your heart rate elevated upon waking.
- Consumption of caffeine, alcohol, or a heavy meal before bed can contribute to a faster heartbeat in the morning.
- Sleep conditions like sleep apnea, where breathing stops and starts repeatedly during sleep, reduce oxygen levels and stress the heart.
- Hormonal changes, such as those from thyroid problems or menstrual cycles, may also cause a fast heart rate.
- Additionally, there is a natural surge in the stress hormone cortisol just before waking that can increase heart rate and cause the heart's electrical activity to be more irregular.
If your racing heart happens often or is accompanied by other symptoms, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
