IMO I have Confirmed - stomach acid is primary cause for my Afib attacks

Yesterday I did not eat as well as I normally do and started getting ectopics and even short SVT runs. I knew I was in the danger zone for an aFib attack. I took some pepcid and tums and it stopped - then I ate my evening fiber rich cereal snack a bit later, and an hour or so later started getting ectopics again - then when I went up to bed I had that feeling like I need to burp, and again lots of ectopics and short SVT runs. I took two tums, within 10 minutes no more heart issues.

So I dug up this story I had read awhile ago on Dr. Gupta's site.

I really thought it sounded like me at the time, but now even more so as I see she commented on it in August of last year and said controlling acid has completely stopped her arrhythmia. I'm feeling grateful I figured it out in 3 years rather than 8.

Now if only I can find an "emergency" antacid that doesn't cause constipation and/or electrolyte deficiencies. Any suggestions? I already follow most dietary guidelines for keeping acid down (smaller meals, avoiding certain acid causing foods etc), but like anyone there are occasions where I lapse/take a risk and eat something I shouldn't.

Original story here:

drsanjayguptacardiologist.c...

Comment here: (also on the original story page if you scroll down)

"Hi,

I am the person in this story (D’s story living with Roemheld’s syndrome) which was a self diagnosis that was incorrect. I was however diagnosed with PSVT during a visit to ER with erratic heart rhythms, which I do not believe is correct either as I have been symptom free for three years and feel compelled to help people struggling with unexplained arrhythmia.

As my arrhythmia episodes were increasing in frequency and severity over an eight year period, including two fainting spells, I was desperate and frightened. I came upon an article in the New England Journal of Medicine titled “GERD linked to cardiac arrhythmia” As I did not have classic GERD or acid reflux symptoms, it went undiagnosed for the entire 8 year period. I approached my GP with the article and was prescribed a proton pump inhibitor for three months. Within two days my arrhythmia stopped completely! I continued on the PPI medication for three months and switched to daily over the counter acid reducer thereafter.

I have been symptom free for three years. I met with my cardiologist and told him my story. He was intrigued. It’s hard to imagine how acid reflux or an irritated vagus nerve could cause my heart to stop, start, pound, cause jaw pain, dizziness and disrupt blood supply enough to faint, but it did.

I have read countless stories of people drinking a full can of soda or beer to belch and calm their arrhythmia. The need to burp during my arrhythmia episodes was my cue to a connection between my stomach and my arrhythmia.

I am eternally grateful to the researchers who published the article and have thought many times about sharing my story to help others who suffer with what was becoming a debilitating condition for me. Keep your stomach acid in check and your heart will be on beat.

Debra"

[mjames1]

Reflux/GERD is one of my triggers as well. For something short and fast acting that doesn't cause constipation, I would use Mylanta. Just be aware, that depending on the dose and your system, it has a laxative effect and cause cause diarrhea.

You might also want to try an alginate after meals and at bed time such as Gaviscon Advance. It coats your stomach and esophagus, help keeping the acid in place. Depending on the Alginate, it may have an antacid mixed in as well.

Lastly, if nothing else works, there are the PPI's like Nexium or Dexilant. They are the superstars in suppressing acid but studies are mixed on long term safety.

Lifestyle, I find the FODMAP diet helps a lot. Also, limiting meal sizes and not eating too close to bedtime. Lately, I've been taking a 10-15 minute walk after meals to help with both GERD and digestion in general.

Just be careful with antacids and your other medications as if you take them too close together, your other meds might not absorb as well.

Jim

[Hidden in reply to mjames1]

Thank you I hadn't thought of Mylanta or Gaviscon actually. Maybe it would be ok if the Mylanta had those side effects since I often have bouts of constipation too LOL Also good tip about medications.

[mjames1 in reply to Hidden]

Yes, in the right quantity, Mylanta can help with constipation. Take too much and it goes the other way

Jim

[Singwell in reply to mjames1]

You can't get our Gaviscon Advanced in the US - different formula apparently 😒

[mjames1 in reply to Singwell]

Yes, Gaviscon Advance is not available OTC in the US, however it is available in the same formula on US Amazon. But 8 pounds more expensive probably because it's imported from UK. Just about to order two more bottles!

Jim

[Singwell in reply to mjames1]

Oh so useful to know! Thanks.

[mjames1 in reply to Singwell]

Do you take the Gaviscon Advance with your meds or do you take it 2 hours before or after like their website suggests? Hard to find a lot of information on this, so I have been careful not to take it within two hours of my meds.

Jim

[Singwell in reply to mjames1]

Advice from ENT take it a bit before bedtime if only taking in the evening. No water, not even during tooth brushing and no food afterwards at all - this will breach the alginate raft. It should not interfere with your meds - it's not a chemical and although everything obviously gets absorbed into pure systems what the gaviscon does for around 4 hours is hang out on top of the stomach contents. It's a very cool and simple solution. Only proviso is the amount of sodium in the mix if you're very worried about BP. Ideally lie on your left side to protects system from spilling unwanted stomach acid during the night. I always start on my left, then turn over if desired in the night. Raised head of bed etc but I'm.guessing you.already know this.

[mjames1 in reply to Singwell]

In addition to bedtime, I'm taking it after meals and sometimes before working out. In addition to the alginate, Gaviscon advance also contains potassium bicarb which is antacid and the instructions say to space by 2 hours with certain meds such as... but doesn't specifically list flecainide, my concern. Antacids, as a group may interfere with many meds, but hard to find out which interferes with which and probably most doctors don't have a clue. I guess if I go into afib after taking Gaviscon advance too close to my flecainide, then I'll know. lol. Good tips. I have a bed that tilts up the head and also usually at least start on my left side.

Jim

[Singwell in reply to mjames1]

Didn't know that re interactions. I sorted my acid reflux with dietary changes so normally only take the gaviscon at night. I get LPR and it's a right pain - if the pepsin gets into my respiratory tract it causes allergic type reactions - sneezing, itchy eyes etc plus plays havoc with my singing voice.

[Singwell]

I was about to recommend Gaviscon then I saw you're in the US - different formula alas! See if you can source a product that contains an alginate- alginate is the main ingredient in Gaviscon Advanced here in the UK. When taken it creates a heavier layer on to of the stomach contents and acts like a raft, stopping the juices from travelling upwards. I guess you also know all the other tricks like raising the head of the bed. If you don't I can share a good podcast we did on this but it'd have to be by DM. Or go to the British Voice Association Website free resources section and download their leaflet on acid reflux. Happy to recommend books too if you'd like.From a long term acid reflux sufferer!

[Tomred]

My go to for stomach acid, is a quarter to half a teaspoon of food grade baking soda, you might want to try.

[frazeej]

Antacids: I recommend Gelusil. It is a combination of magnesium and aluminum hydroxides and is definitely not constipating. Extra bonus is a nice magnesium supplement (2 Gelusil = 400mg Mg(OH)2). I stopped taking TUMS (calcium carbonate) as too much calcium MAY interfere with magnesium absorption. Gelusil also contains simethacone, which is really good (IMO) for "bloat".

As for reflux being a trigger-I have found that if I go to bed with a hint of heartburn (or "bloat"), it is a 100% guarantee that I will wake up in the middle of the night with afib. Thus 2 Gelusil every night!

[Hidden in reply to frazeej]

Yeah that’s part of my concern with the Tums - so I’ve been trying to take as little of them as possible by controlling diet etc. Really I try to take as little of anything as possible 🙃

[secondtry]

From my experience, I also think stomach acid is a key AF influencer.

[jeanjeannie50]

So interesting, thank you all for sharing what antacid helps your AF.