Sudden heart rate increase while sleeping

[writergal28]

My normal resting heart rate is typically in the mid to high 60s.  However, over the past few days, it suddenly spiked to as high as 76 - due to a high heart rate while sleeping.  For example, I woke up in the middle of the night with a heart rate I don't usually see unless I'm doing moderate exercise!  I'm a 39 year old, fairly active female (I work out five times a week, either on my own or taking a class and walk almost everywhere.  I typically clock 20K steps or more each day).  

I should also add that I have had secondary amenorrhea for a few years (unrelated to sleep), so I don't think it's early menopause. 

[Dominique]

As you wrote in a post on another forum, your Charge 3 is your first Fitbit tracker, so your "HR history" is still likely limited (a few months at most). This makes it harder to know for sure what your "normal" RHR is. A fluctuation range of 15 bpm is not uncommon in my experience (based on about four years of wearing HR-enabled Fitbits). My RHR tends to be elevated with stress / disruptions from my regular routines (for instance, when travelling / away from home). If you have other symptoms or reasons to believe something could be wrong with your heart, you should consult with a medical professional, perhaps even a cardiologist, if you’ve never seen one before.

[jimmymac77]

I'm wondering if you may have sleep apnea. I was diagnosed about 10 yrs ago after my wife noticed that I would stop breathing while I slept. I would often suddenly wake up, pulse racing, sometimes breathing as if I had held my breath for some time... I don't fit in any of the typical physical characteristics of the sleep apnea 'norms'. I'm thin, active, with a normal resting HR around 46-50. Please see a doctor if this sounds like what you are experiencing. It may be placing undue stress on your heart.

[RogueHippo123]

Thanks for this!  My doctor dismissed me when I mentioned apnea, because I'm relatively thin and active and don't fit the "profile."  I'm definitely going to push further.