Chest pain only during sleep (night)?

Question

hi,

I'm wondering why sometimes I'm having trouble breathing when I sleep at night. I'll wake up with a "hard" chest (i can feel my chest was hard) and there's kinda "nervous" feeling (I'm thinking like I'm having an heart attack) then I can feel that I'm having a shortness of breath.

But when I stand up, had a mug of hot milk and do something that will make me busy (like composing this question for example), my chest will return to it's normal, relaxed mode. As in I'll start to feel very very very as in very fine.

Have you experienced this before? What could be the source and how can it be prevented?

But when I take a nap, I don't experience this. I'm only experiencing it during night at late time (1 - 3am).

Now I'm starting to have a fear to going to sleep for I might experience this not so pleasant feeling again...

Thanks a lot.

Answer 1

Please see a doctor for a complete check up and formal diagnosis. I can think of several things it may be but only a doctor can tell you for sure and you might need to have a sleep study done. Just some things it could be:
1. GE reflux
2. sleep apnea
3. hiatal hernia
4. nocturnal asthma
5. coronary artery spasm
6. angina pectoris

You need to have this investigated. Not only for your own well being but so that you don't have to fear going to sleep. Please don't waste anytime...see your doctor!

Answer 2

May be you eat too much before going to bed. Or you need a elevate your body a little. better pillows. do you eat greasy stuff before bed? do you drink water? Do you smoke?