As it seems likely issues with the digestive system contribute via the Vagus Nerve to cause anxiety and AF, I thought this article was worth posting.
I have consulted this Naturopath since my AF started many years ago and have some confidence in his knowledge nb I have no financial interest or other connection.
Excellent article, explains very clearly what happens and why we must maintain stomach acid and mirrors exactly what my Lifestyle Medicine GP & Nutritionist say.
Thanks for posting
I found this very interesting secondtry and would urge other forum members with stomach acid problems to read your link.
I am going to try his 'Bicarbonate of soda' test 🫣 !
Husband has been on digestive enzymes (plant and HCI betain) for years with each meal and they have helped him a lot.
He was prescribed PPIs like candy decades ago and it’s taken us a good few goes to come off them (they were causing stomach issues and deficiencies like magnesium etc).
An unhappy gut (microbiota) certainly can cause a lot of varied issues (upstream and downstream).
Thanks for this information very helpful.
thanks for sharing, very interesting, I will give myself the bicarbonate test!
I look forward to reading that as I often feel there's a link, but recently have become convinced its the heart causing the under rib symptoms that seem gastric, rather than the other way round.
I have also discussed this possibility at length with my own heart specialist, who seems to take an interest in it (he's a prof at a leading medical school, too) and I know that he would argue with your use of "likely" in your linking of the vagus with AF, even though it's in vogue on the internet. He assured me that vagal "irritation" from say a large hiatus hernia is a rare phenomenon and would lead to severe bradycardia followed by swings into severe tachycardia.
His belief is that gastric symptoms can cause a wide range of effects such as increased peristalsis and bloating which can have direct physical effects on the heart itself by pressing the diaphragm or oesophagus against it. This can set off ectopic beats, and those can then trigger AF, without vagal involvement.
Steve
Interesting. Either way I need to do more homework and action on my gastric system.
Fascinating article! I’ve been taking PPIs for many years and if I forget to take them, the heartburn reminds me. intriguing to read about the possible link to autoimmune issues, have had rheumatoid arthritis for 20 years.
I believe that PPIs given to me for my moderate gastritis (as diagnosed) actually caused my AF. Not just because of the Vagus nerve affects from the gastritis, but also the calcium and magnesium deficiencies these drugs manifest. It took me a year to wean off PPI's. They are poison distributed even over the counter yet today. Even though my AF is well controlled now, any type of stomach upset causes PVCs and PACs, just another reminder of the connection that the cardiovascular and digestive system share with the Vagus nerve.
I have been thinking along these lines myself after AF and chronic h pylori gastritis hit at the same time (still healing from Gastritis 10 months later). I have suffered so much over 1.5 years. So annoying that the NGS do not, or don't want to, join up the dots. I have asked repeatedly for an acid level test from GI. It is just dismissed, GI had never heard of the Heidelberg test! Has anyone managed to get this test and where was it done ? Thanks
76 years old with A F
apixaban and hematuria 
shortness of breath
3% Afib burden and proposed medication
