Fear of Heart Stopping While Sleeping

[Dax]

I just recently developed a horrible phobia that has me really upset ... I have a terrible fear that my heart is going to stop while I'm sleeping. So, in essence, I'm now afraid to go to sleep.

Recently I was told that while I'm sleeping I struggle to breathe. I have asthma and very bad allergies, which I am on constant medication for. My new boyfriend told me that while I was sleeping with him (for the first time over the weekend) that I did not snore, but struggled desperately to breathe (through my nose and my mouth) and it woke him up because it sounded as if I was being suffocated and/or strangled. He said that when he touched me to wake me up he felt my heart pounding and beating extremely fast.

Now I'm afraid that my heart is going to just stop while I'm asleep. I have a doctor's appointment next week to be checked for my asthma and allergies and to tell my doctor about this, but now I'm truly afraid that something is going to happen. This can't be good for my heart (I have a heart murmur). Does anyone else have this fear? How do you sleep if you are afraid to sleep??

[Heartfright]

I can understand why you have your fear but don't know what to tell you. How are you managing without sleep - or are you just not getting sufficient rest because of your fear? Did it bother you that your new boyfriend discovered this and that he was feeling your heart while you were sleeping? Do you think his actions have something to do with your fear that your heart is going to stop while you're sleeping? It's almost like he was monitoring your heart rhythm to see if you were going to be okay and may have imparted this fear onto you.

I hope someone can give you some advice on calming your fears since I seem to have just come up with more questions and concerns. Sorry. I hope your doctor can help you with your breathing problems. Keep us posted.

[kristis2]

Ask your Dr about sleep apnea!Kristi