The gastric microbe, Helicobacter pylori, that's the cause of most stomach ulcers also takes it out on the heart. People with rapid beating of the upper chamber of the heart, atrial fibrillation, are nearly 20 times more likely to be infected with Helicobacter than are healthy "controls," according to a report in the medical journal Heart. While the exact mechanism is unknown, the theory is that it may relate to autoantibodies that develop in some H. pylori-infected patients. These antibodies, which normally attack an acid pump found on gastric cells, may instead attack a similar pump on cardiac cells, ultimately triggering atrial fibrillation. The new findings are based on a study of H. pylori tests in 59 patients with atrial fibrillation and 45 healthy controls. In the overall analysis, 97 percent of atrial fibrillation patients were positive for H. pylori compared with just 5 percent of controls.
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I have the some problem. Tried antibiotics couple times, but the bacteria just love me. Have PAF for the last 7 years and very often associate the problem with stomach upset (burping, gas etc). Interested to read any literature about the theory.
Interesting. I have chronic gastritis and all the symptoms of h-pylori - stomach pain after eating and digestive spasms - and these problems precede rhythm problems, sometimes leading to AFib. But I was tested for h-pylori with a biopsy after an endoscopy, and it was negative. I was told not to worry as the gastritis was minor. I wonder if I should try mastic gum (I already take probiotics). Although high intensity sport was a hobby and I assume my AFib was exercise induced, it also came out of the blue. I've always eaten well, been a good weight, and was not exercising all that much - certainly no more than any other reasonably athletic person. It felt as though something invaded me. But I have a negative diagnosis.
That's extremely interesting 7940 - thanks for posting.
I have returned a positive indication for H. pylori from a blood test but the GP advised that the definitive test is a "Urea Breath Test" which I cannot take until I have been clear of all antibiotics for a month, so I have scheduled myself to go for the test mid-May.
The GP has also been dealing with my AF but did not link the two.
Can you please share any links you have on this subject ?
Hi 7940 - Thanks for posting this, very interesting!
I had a blood test and was diagnosed with h-pylori something like 17yrs ago. Courses of strong antibiotics did nothing to clear it and made me feel quite ill. What did though was my sister in Texas posting to me (in the UK) some garlic and oregano capsules. She herself had had h-pylori and been guided to this cure after others failed. If I ever feel it may be coming back now I take mastic gum tablets, again these were recommended by my sister. I'm not sure whether these can be taken now I'm on warfarin. I do wonder if I still have a higher than normal incidence of this as I still get a slight soreness in my stomach and would really like another test. I've too have heard that the most definitive test is the urea breath test.
Jean
That is very interesting indeed... I've never been tested for h-pylori but I do have stomach problems and remember once ending up on tablets for an ulcer - again, nobody looked, they just assumed that was what I had (what happened to testing I wonder?). I am not sure what that might mean for us though?
Crikey! with all that, sounds like you should just give up the ghost. haha
When I fell Ill in2012as well as AF I was diagnosed with stomach ulcers but after having an endoscopy were they took biopsies for H pylori I was diagnosed as clear and it was just to much acid in my stomach,I was on antacids for 2 1/2 years and felt awful every day so last month after seeing my Dr we agreed to try no meds and I feel better at the moment with out,don,t know why.But I too am convinced there is some connection some where with the heart and stomach.People talk of the vagal nerve being a factor, never know one day something might turn up.
Following my recent diagnosis of AF August 2014....the last diagnosis being 2005 and mostly symptom free since then...I wondered about inflammation of the heart/pericardium. I had it checked out and inflammation confirmed by an complementary practitioner using a bioresonance machine and was told I had H pylori. I did a three month program of Mastica Gum and was cleared of the bacteria....but it didn't clear me of the Af symptoms.
Ah, yes, but as so many of us say....don't take my response as the "gospel truth." It's only what happened with me. Best to check with your chemist. All best!
Hi - Drs said same to me for 25 yrs ie it's very common, 65% of population have it etc ....last year I was diagnosed with pylorus erosion. Stupid pratts- a course of antibiotics could have dealt with it - & the pain of suffering for so long.
I recommend those that haven't heard of Weston A Price to take a look - a group of health advisers who don't have too many vested interests.
I did two courses of antibiotics ten years ago and it didn't help. I still have pylori . I did the breath test a month ago and my Dr was pleased to see that it's almost gone. I'm taking probiotics and that seems to be helping me get rid of it.
I had H/ pylori about 10 years ago,I lived in Ireland at the time and was done by your breath method,I asked for one doing at my G.Ps last year and was told to bring a poo sample,they said I did not have pylori,never heard of this been done like this before,has anyone else,would love to have the breath one done again,I do think there is a connection,and also a connection with the vagal nerve,why don't doctors listen to us,we can't all be wrong
Very possibly. I'm now on a gluten free and low carb routine....90% fewer palps. Food, food, food....so many things can be attributed to diet. Thanks for your thoughts.......
I eat amines free food, fresh the best, no leftovers (if older then 48 hrs will contain amines/histamine). No coffee, tea only occasionally. Meat , chicken , fish : as fresh as possible. Amines free vegetables and fruits. Eggs. No tin food. No junk food. Taking magnesium tablets daily. No preservatives or additives. Gluten free products (if I am very good, I love "normal" bread). So far I manage PAF with diet , exercise (just daily walks) and Flecenaide (pill in the pocket). AF will visit me twice a month on average. Usually 2 tablets is enough to stop it (200 mgs). I am not on any other medications. Have PAF since 2008.
Regards
Eva
G'day 7940,
I've not been diagnosed with H-Pylori but have had digestive issues. May I explain - about 4 months after being diagnosed with pAF I began to associate the onset of an AF event with food I'd eaten. Symptoms were - painful bloating, burping, intestinal gurgling and diahorrea, and not in any particular order, and not every day, not every time, but, the bloating was the worst as I could feel it impact on my heart. I went to my GP at the time who carried out tests for IBS and Coeliac Disease - all clear. I was offered further tests but declined. I consulted a Nutritonist instead. She put me on a course of Probiotics - VSL#3. After that on her advice I went Gluten and Wheat free and began to follow FODMAPS diet. That's nearly 5 years ago now and I cannot remember my last AF event. Once in a while I eat something (out of left field) which brings back one or more of the symptoms and immediately sends my blood pressure through the roof - but no return to AF.
Hi 7940 - just picked up your thread re H.Pylori and the research regarding the antibodies and cardiac cells - I would like to view the research and let my GP see it if you could let me have the source please - thank you Cathy
I just had a breath test for hpylori and my Dr said it's almost gone. I've been taking probiotics twice per day and my Dr said to continue with the probiotics because it's helping get rid of it.
I'm curious to know if anyone has been able to "cure" or control their AFib after getting rid of the h. pylori infection. I'm sure there is some kind of connection between the h. pylori, the stomach, and the heart. I have noticed this entire last week that every time I begin having the feeling of extreme hunger or the feeling of too much acid (which is usually the opposite and it's too little stomach acid) that I begin having shortness of breath, fatigue, lots of yawning, and lots of loud and deep belching. This can last for several hours. Last year (2015) I had a few bouts of passing out or almost passing out. I once was at a friend's place watching TV with them and on a break I really needed to use the restroom, but I felt that if I got up I might pass out before making it to the bathroom. Well, I made it to the bathroom, but didn't even have the time or energy to get my pants down and onto the toilet and so I rested my butt on the edge of the counter next to the toilet and less than a minute later I I passes out and woke up on the floor not realizing what had happened! Thankfully no one heard me hit the ground and I was back to normal after waking up. Since then, another time I was visiting with another friend and while we were standing around outside getting ready to leave I felt like I was about to blackout, but this time I let my friends know I was about to pass out and needed to sit down. One of them noted I was looking pale and so I quickly got to the car and sat down to rest. I just had my blood drawn yesterday for a bunch of tests, one of which is h. pylori, which I strongly feel will be positive considering all my symptoms seem to match. Is there any way to know or estimate how long one has had the infection and how long much damage it has already done to the heart? I am very nervous and scared that I may need serious procedure like cardiac ablation if the heart problems don't go away on their own after getting rid of the infection? Has anyone had the experience of getting rid of the infection and the heart problems resolving afterwards?
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