Neurocardiology

[seasider18]

This is a new word to me and the post is copied from another Forum discussion on the Vagus nerve.

Neurocardiology refers to the pathophysiological interplays of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. It is an emerging field in medicine over the last decade. The constant communication between the heart and the brain have proved invaluable to interdisciplinary fields of neurological and cardiac diseases. (I copied this from Wikipedia)

They are talking about the communication between the brain and the heart, but they should have included the gut and the heart.

[Finvola]

Definitely my gut and heart interact - AF was always accompanied by horrible gut trouble and nowadays on Flecainide, gut trouble triggers masses of ectopics.

Anxiety and stress worsen arrhythmias and mindfulness or relaxation/well being improve them for me, as for many others.

Very interesting area seasider, which may lead to more insights into this horrible condition.

[seasider18 in reply to Finvola]

My digestion has been good for the last five weeks and I've only once briefly noticed a more erratic heart rate.

[rosyG]

The vagus nerve is connected to the whole nervous system so is included ?/ Plays a large role inAF

[seasider18]

At one time before they found that Helicobactor was the main cause of ulcers they used to cut the vagal nerve. Many years ago I was offered the procedure.

Some bits from Google.

A vagotomy is performed when acid production in the stomach can not be reduced by other means. The purpose of the procedure is to disable the acid-producing capacity of the stomach. It is used when ulcers in the stomach and duodenum do not respond to medication and changes in diet.

Can pressure on vagus nerve cause palpitations?

While these signals originate in the brain, pressure in the abdomen caused by large meals, gas or bloating can cause the vagus nerve to be stimulated. This harmless stimulation can cause a temporary disruption of the heartbeat. Acid reflux can also stimulate the vagus nerve resulting in heart palpitations

Any kind of GI distress can put pressure on the nerve and irritate it, with a hiatal hernia being a frequent culprit. Poor posture along with muscular imbalances can also cause the vagus nerve to misfire, as can excess alcohol or spicy foods. Stress can inflame the nerve, along with fatigue and anxiety.

Many other things can stimulate it including passing a hard stool. In my case a colonoscopy put me into AF as did a digital rectal examination. I certainly fall into the poor posture group from years of working with computers.

[Hidden in reply to seasider18]

Thanks Seasider info much appreciated, makes sense and 'neurocardiology' is a useful term to know when talking to your cardiologist about the Vagus Nerve.

[seasider18]

I have seen two neurologists in the past two years but my vagus nerve connections that I highlighted did not raise much interest with them.

About the only one who connected the vagus nerve with AF was the sister in the ward where I had my pacemaker fitted and she had seen patients during incidents caused by it. I had a violent reaction to the chicken casserole I had there for dinner as it evidently had an excess of MSG in it but I'm not certain if it was AF or my normal reaction to MSG.

[Talika in reply to seasider18]

MSG causes me to go into AF