Not sure if it is the same thing, but I have had a few experiences like that over the last couple of years. In my case, I thought it was mild apnia (sp?)and I would wake abruptly in panic and my heart would race. Thankfully (knock on wood)I don't ever seem to have trouble falling asleep, so when it hits I just lay in bed thinking "that was strange" and then settle back to sleep. I try to look at it as my body thought something was wrong and woke me up. I figure it will wake me up again if it needs to. Good luck.
