I have a friend that has a rapid heart beat for a few beats ony when she lays on left side at night.?
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This is more than likely a normal occurance. I also get this same feeling during position changes, including lying down. What happens is a changing of pressures in the body. Have you ever noticed that when you go from sitting awhile to standing, that you feel your heart race and you are light headed? Your heart has to work extra hard to pump blood to your lower extremities and force it to the brain causing vasodilation and dizziness. What your friend is experiencing is similiar. It's related to position changes and blood flow to the heart. Either her heart is increasing to compensate for the position change, or she is experiencing a PAC or PVC. A PAC stands for premature atrial contractions in which there's an irritable foci in the sinus node of the heart (the pacemaker sight). This causes the heart to beat a tad prematurely. These are completely normal and no cause for concern. Another thing she may be experiencing is a PVC, which is a premature ventricular contraction. Once again, these are harmless and experienced by half the population. The ventricles will beat prematurely because of an irritability. This can be caused by too much caffeine or certain medications. Being that she is very small and energetic, this is normal for her. I too experience these while laying down but then it resolves once I sit up. It's a strange and odd feeling to have and a bit scary if you aren't sure what's happening to you. I would not be concerned unless they start occuring more frequently or when she is sitting up or standing. If she still feels uneasy about, have her speak to her doctor. Better be safe than sorry.
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