hiatus hernia

[Over60locker]

has anyone got a hiatus hernia and find if they eat certain foods I.e. fatty food pasty etc that it flares up the the hiatus then goes on to af within 10 minutes or so. I’ve noticed this several times . Been in hospital with a bad attack of af recently I mentioned it to several doctors and cardiologists but they all say they wouldn’t think it should happen. Yet when I researched especially Sanjay Gupta he says it can happen. Just wondering if anyone else has this also I’ve had my gallbladder out which causes bile to leak in my stomach which causes bile reflux this is also a problem setting of the af. X

[meadfoot]

I have the same issues. Fortunately my gastric and cardiac consultants agree about the connection. Not sure how to resolve the issue though.

[BenHall1]

Hi Over60locker,

This is my personal view and experience ... but it has some universal understanding with many peeps.

You do not need to have a hiatus hernia for food ( or drink ) to trigger an AF event .. IF .. you have a dysfunctional Vagal Nerve. I recommend you read up on it but essentially it is a nerve in the central nervous system which acts like an information superhighway linking brain, heart and gut. Go further and have a look at schematic diagram of this nerve.

Back in my early days ( January 2010, aged 65 ) with AF, after some 7 months or so, I began to suspect that food was a trigger and I followed this up not with a conventional medical practioner ( GP ) but with a Nutritionist. Long story short ......... sorted. As the months shifted into years I looked back over my life and health issues and I was able to associate gut problems and food going back to my early/mid thirties which continued on and off over the years ever since ....... to the point that at one time my GP was going to refer me for gall bladder surgery. I chose a diet route instead.

The diet process is not a quick fix, but, long term if you feel this is a problem it is worth looking at. Basically, it amounts to food allergy or less dramatic, food intolerance. Sadly most GP's, most cardiac consultants do not recognise this link, however, most gastroenterologists will. Gotta say though, AF is all things to all peeps ........ so if you can identify this food lark I've just referred to ........... what affects me may not affect you or the Joe down the road. For me the foods I avoid are ( well some, anyway ) .......... roast duck, roast pork, especially the fatty crackling bit - some soft cheese but hard cheese is OK, lettuce is out but rocket is OK, onions are out but spring onions ( shallots) are OK. Radish is OK, so is Watercress. I'm also gluten free, wheat free and oats free although some wheat products I am now able to return to after an absence of some years. Thats it - well a potted version at least. Hope this gives you some clues.

John

[Over60locker in reply to BenHall1]

I’ve read a little about the vagus nerve will look into it more thank you

[Cavalierrubie]

I have hiatus hernia and when l have a flare up it can cause AF. Small meals and often is important. The esophagus gets inflamed. The hernia and esophagus are in the same area as the heart, just underneath the diaphragm and it can all push up against the heart causing palpitations and AF. With a hiatus hernia the food takes longer to travel through the digestive tract and possibly upsetting the vagal nerve, which again can cause AF.

[Over60locker in reply to Cavalierrubie]

Thank you this is my theory to but the doctors don’t agree just keep giving me antacids

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Over60locker]

There is nothing you can do only treat the hernia as you say and watch your diet. No fatty or citric acid foods. My Cardiologist said it doesn’t help with AF. I have had a hiatus hernia for years.

[Ppiman]

Dr Gupta is a great source for sympathy but not always for the facts of the matter.

I have the same as you and take a daily PPI tablet to stop the effects of acid reflux. My specialist doubts any connection to arrhythmias and he’s likely right. It does feel as if there is but it matters little in treating the heart problems. No one seems able to prove a link except from excessively large hernias.

Steve

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Ppiman]

As meadfoot says, her gastric consultant agrees there is a connection, as mine does as well. I have a large hernia which probably is worse and it does cause me problems with my AF. I think Dr. Gupta is an extremely good and renowned Cardiologist and explains things thoroughly and l have always found him explanatory. I have found a Cardiologist will only discuss matters of the heart. As all this inflammation from the hiatus hernia is in the heart area it must have some effect as does also any infection in the body.

[Ppiman in reply to Cavalierrubie]

I agree about Dr Gupta but what I have said is true, also.

There should be no inflammation caused by a hernia, by the way. Inflammatory gastric disorders are very different.

A large hernia can physically displace the heart, but most hernias are relatively small and “sliding”. I feel that they still can cause physical irritation of the heart, however, which lies so close. That has been demonstrated to set off PACs, which themselves can trigger AF.

Steve

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Ppiman]

My hernia is large and sliding. Whenl have a “flare up” it causes inflammation of the esophagus and can also give me gastritis, along with much pain. I take a PPI for this and to prevent ulcers forming in the esophagus and stomach. I only know what the Gastro. have told me, l am not a medic.

[Ppiman in reply to Cavalierrubie]

That is different. Bad luck. This is the sphincter not working well allowing acid into the wrong place. Acid erosion must be kept at bay as the evidence is that it leads to chronic conditions.

Steve

[Cavalierrubie in reply to Ppiman]

Acid gets trapped in a hiatus hernia causing all sorts of problems. It began small, but over time they can increase in size. It causes inflammation, which to me feels like a “fire ball” in my chest. The downside is that the pain can mimic heart attack, so l have been to AE quite often with Hiatus Hernia and/or AF. They will soon be charging me rent l think! I am trying to avoid surgery with medication, which does keep it under control providing l stick to a diet that is relevant to this condition. Thanks for your replies.

[Ppiman in reply to Cavalierrubie]

A neighbour had similar to you and called 999 more than once thinking it was his heart. I have it but not so bad. Mine hasn’t been looked at in years now. It feels much worse these days but the acid is well controlled so often it's okay. The worst symptom for me is long term nausea which is rare thankfully. When it does flare up, the symptoms can take months to settle.

Steve

[JillyBeau]

food is definitely a trigger for me. I avoid a lot of foods for allergies anyway. Now I tend to only eat one food at a time: one pear, 100 g cottage cheese, piece of fish, 100 g vegetable or oatcakes. I think fat is a trigger too. Try not to drink fluids within an hour of eating - this increases stomach size and is more likely to put pressure on vagus nerve. Eating one food at a time will help you establish any triggers, I eat about 6 times a day. When we eat, blood is diverted for digestion so the amount of blood in circulation reduces potentially reducing bp. The body then may try to compensate by increasing heart rate to get oxygen where it’s needed. Try not to move around too much after eating also as this requires a higher heart rate.

[Over60locker in reply to JillyBeau]

Thank you this is very interesting especially the drinking after a meal once had af after drinking a glass of water after food . Thanks x

[Cavalierrubie in reply to JillyBeau]

This is so true thanks. Food moves slower through the digestive system and that’s why it’s important to have small meals often and no fluids at the same time. It’s also good information for folks that have AF but don’t have a hiatus hernia.

[JillyBeau]

Unless we try to find causes, we are at the mercy of doctors who don’t have time to look for causes. Genetic predispositions are only that. Everything we potentially need to know is available online. The major causes of high blood pressure and strokes is dehydration and too much salt. Our cardiologists tells us these simple rules but most people don’t take the advice (I work with the elderly) and continue to live off tea/coffee, sugar and processed foods. If you only drink water, eat natural foods, reduce salt to about 2 grams per day (rather than than 6 grams) you will no longer need blood thinners and bp meds. Or will be able to reduce them significantly. Be good to yourselves, be pro-active, take the simplest cheapest advice re. hydration.