I've had similar experiences. I would wake up and my heart would be pounding so hard, and the pulse would be so intense throughout my body, it was definitely alarming. So earlier this year, I saw a cardiologist, and he recommended that I have a sleep study done. After having the sleep study, it was determined that my vitals go sporadic while I'm sleeping, especially my heart rate. At my lowest, my heart rate was only 2bpm! At the highest, my heart rate was 183bpm! Its unclear why, so I have an appointment to see a sleep specialist in September. Hopefully, I'll get some answers.

Have you tried seeing a cardiologist or sleep specialist?

Wow! That's scary, ckmoore777! Good luck at the sleep specialist.

Annieko, as far as blood pressure going up over 200 before going to bed, I was just wondering how much sleep you are getting at night. You need to be getting about 7 hours of good quality sleep (deep sleep) so your brain can do its job regulating your stress hormones (cortisol). When you continually don't get that, the stress hormones translates into higher blood pressure.

Personally, I've noticed issues when I don't get enough sleep. I have a HUGE problem making myself go to sleep, and I've noticed lately my blood pressure spiking, altho not as high as yours.

I've taken to eating a couple stalks of celery before going to bed; the first night, I had 2 stalks of celery, a handful of raisins, and a cup of orange juice - all good things for lowering blood pressure. I did see it go down. Make sure when that happens, if you don't go to the e.r., that you do something to make sure you relax and not panic about the numbers. Worrying about it only makes it worse. Personally, over 200 I'd go to the e.r. just to make sure, and it sounds like you did.

This sounds a little crazy, but when I'm stressed and it's late at night, I always have some episodes of Frasier, or some of those old mindless tv shows that can make you laugh. Laughter is great for relaxing and getting your mind off things. Then I can almost always get to sleep.

Good luck!

I also have similar experiences. For the past year I've been waking up in the early morning sweating, anxious and with elevated BP. After I get up, things settle down and I get ready for the day. A few times I've gone to the ER, but after I'd lie down for awhile everything subsided without any treament being needed.

CK, I would like to know what the sleep specialist suggests.

I take my medicine at 6PM that seems to help. Also, when it spikes I take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar. It takes awful!!!!!!!! I like the celery suggestion better. :)

I don't know why, but my BP often starts rising in mid-afternoon. So I keep an eye on it, and if it seems to be getting out of control, I'll take one or more of my BP meds at that time. And I'll keep monitoring it until I go to bed.

I have PTSD also, and sometimes, I have terrible nightmares that send my BP and heart rate through the roof. An anti-hypertensive called Prazosin helps with this. It isn't very effective in controlling BP, but it somehow either completely suppresses the nightmares or else lowers the terror factor to simply an unpleasant situation that you can deal with.

Good luck!

I've done my second sleep study. I didn't get much information other than I may have hypoapnea. No answers on the sporadic heart rate though.

My son in law has sporadic HP, He read an article on Celtic sea
salt. He mixes up a bottle of water with a little sea salt in it and sips on it through out the night. He drinks a little of it before bed also. It has
helped his BP,
It is not a long term fix but helps keep the BP down over night.