Doctor Warns of 5 Deadly Nighttime Conditions: Call 1669 Immediately
Dr. Chet Bunyawongviroj of Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital warns of five life-threatening conditions that often strike at night, including heart attacks, dangerous arrhythmias, sleep apnea, and nocturnal hypoglycemia. He urges the public to recognize emergency symptoms such as chest tightness with cold sweat, severe palpitations with dizziness, and snoring followed by gasping, and to call emergency number 1669 immediately rather than waiting or driving to the hospital.
On November 8, 2026, media reported that Dr. Chet Bunyawongviroj, Deputy Director of Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, posted a message on his Facebook page "Dr. Jed" identifying five dangerous conditions that often occur at night and which symptoms risk a person never waking up.
Nighttime is when the body should rest, but certain diseases manifest symptoms while we sleep. Some people wake up gasping for breath, others break into a cold sweat with heart palpitations and chest tightness, while some experience abnormalities without realizing it.
Dr. Jed revealed five critical conditions that occur at night. He emphasized he isn't trying to scare people, but wants them to recognize these five conditions that should not be ignored if they occur at night, as some can be life-threatening.
1. **Chest tightness at night with cold sweat** – warning of sudden cardiac ischemia. Some people sleep soundly then suddenly wake feeling chest tightness as if something is pressing down. Others experience radiating pain to the arm, back, or jaw, accompanied by cold sweat, nausea, and shortness of breath. These symptoms require caution for heart ischemia, as fatty plaques in coronary arteries may rupture and form a clot, causing sudden cardiac ischemia. This is especially true for diabetics, the elderly, or those with existing heart disease. Sometimes there is no clear chest pain, but rather fatigue, breathlessness, or cold sweat. If chest tightness occurs with these symptoms, do not assume it is acid reflux and go back to sleep. Call 1669 immediately; do not drive yourself.
2. **Severe heart palpitations waking you with dizziness** – warning of dangerous arrhythmia. There are many types of arrhythmia; some are not very dangerous, but others cause the heart to pump insufficient blood to the brain and organs. Of particular concern are arrhythmias originating from the lower chambers, as they can cause fainting or sudden cardiac arrest. Warning signs include severe palpitations accompanied by dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing, or feeling faint. If these occur at night, do not wait for them to pass. For those with occasional palpitations without severe symptoms, an ECG check is advised, and some may need a Holter monitor to identify the type of arrhythmia.
3. **Loud snoring followed by silence, then gasping** – warning of sleep apnea. Many households may have witnessed this: someone snores loudly, then the snoring stops for a pause, followed by gasping or loud snoring again. This may be obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), where the airway repeatedly collapses. Oxygen levels may drop intermittently, the heart works harder, and blood pressure may rise during sleep. If left untreated, this condition is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in those who are overweight, snore loudly, experience excessive daytime sleepiness, or frequently wake with morning headaches. Dr. Jed recommends consulting a doctor about a sleep study, as some may need a CPAP machine to keep the airway open during sleep. However, not everyone who snores has sleep apnea or equal risk of death during sleep.
4. **Excessive sweating, nightmares, confusion upon waking** – warning of nocturnal hypoglycemia. This is especially important for diabetics, particularly those injecting insulin or taking certain medications that can cause low blood sugar. Some may eat less than usual at dinner, exercise heavily in the evening, but still take their usual glucose-lowering medication, causing blood sugar to drop during sleep. Observable symptoms include drenching sweat, nightmares, tremors, or waking up feeling weak and confused in the morning.
