Palpitations After Eating

[Dancingheart2]

Hi everyone. I’ve had Afib and palpitations pretty much every other day since since August 10 of this year. I wore the holter monitor for 48 hours and just returned it to my cardiology clinic yesterday. My question is, does anyone have palpitations immediately after eating? Thanks.

[Pigleywigley]

hi yes I understand there to be quite a link from eating large meals/certain types of food resulting in gastrooesophageal reflux issues and links to AF.

Weirdly since 8 August I’ve had consistent episodes of PACs mixed in with a bit of AF. I have also experienced significant burping! Like really burping!! A new symptom for me. York cardiology on YouTube has some good into on the stomach link.

[Dancingheart2 in reply to Pigleywigley]

Thanks Piggly Wiggly! I’m not sure if you’re from the UK but I’m a Canadian and we travel through the USA frequently. There’s actually a grocery chain called Piggly Wiggly in the southern States. I love the name. Jo

[Pigleywigley in reply to Dancingheart2]

Owwww I am UK. It’s a nickname for my white Staffordshire bull terriers pigley wigleys as they remind me of piglets 😂

[secondtry in reply to Pigleywigley]

'Really burping' is something I experience daily and have done for many years, when AF was in remission and no change now when I have a new combination of AF, ectopy & pauses. I have not been able to pin down why (diet has been improved steadily over the same period). I find it usually occurs when I am relaxing either on my morning walk or when alone in my office. I tell myself it is a good sign of the body reducing gas pressure in the stomach. If you manage to stop it do let us know!!

[secondtry in reply to Pigleywigley]

PS. Its possible the burping may be due to a yeast issue, which I have tried to curb along with my sweet tooth but has persisted for some time.

[Pigleywigley in reply to secondtry]

That’s interesting. Tell me more about the yeast issue? My burping is ridiculous! 😂

[secondtry in reply to Pigleywigley]

Sorry no research done, more of a lifetime issue that usually is managed comfortably but maybe need to look further at it now.

[secondtry in reply to Pigleywigley]

Just came across a note to myself that erratic blood sugar levels causes candida yeast overgrowth. I do have a bad habit of regular good eating but then indulge more than is sensible in a sweet treat.😖.

[Pigleywigley in reply to secondtry]

I too have a terrible sugar habit! Switched to dark chocolate & nuts but the weakness is always there! Let me know if you find anything. Rachel 🥰

[Allwood]

hi I have been diagnosed with afib 3 years ago. I just discovered after last attack that eating icecream causes heart rate to increase, it doesn’t get stuck but i definitely have the afib flutters. Somebody else I know has flutters after alcohol

Hope this helps 😊

[Dancingheart2 in reply to Allwood]

Hi. What exactly are afib flutters? I have an Apple Watch and a Kardia Mobile device and neither indicates that I’m in a fib, however, I have one palpitation after another which is extremely uncomfortable and disturbing.

[Allwood in reply to Dancingheart2]

Hi flutters are when you can feel your heart rate speed up for 5-6 beats then returns to normal rhythm. My Kardia also only records my afib attacks when it’s stuck at 178bpm

I think when you have been diagnosed with afib/ arrhythmia then we are all hyper focused on sky flutter or pounding, it is indeed uncomfortable

[secondtry]

I would say almost 100% there is a link between gastro and AF via the Vagus Nerve. Of course some people's VN is less sensitive and therefore they experience less AF.

I have caused AF by eating dinner late and drinking a cold ginger beer on a hot day. Others here have done the same with ultra processed food, additives, artificial sweeteners etc.

I now avoid in the main fridge cold drinks or food (I understand from a health professional Chinese believe cold extinguishes the 'cooking pot' ie stomach digestive system), 80% gluten, 50% sugar and as much processed food as is practical.

[ETHEL103]

Yes it does happen to me at times.No large meals especially in my case after6pm.On the occasion of eating out which is usually later I choose a lighter option.

[Ppiman]

Yes indeed. In fact, the other night, just leaning forward at the table set off a short run of ectopic beats and I was able to replicate it a few times. Quite odd. I have read that when the heart is pulled about by body movement then this is a far more likely explanation for the "AF trigger" we often look for, rather than that being down to a particular food or drink and such like. It is well documented that heart movements can set of PACs for example and in a sensitised atrium such as we have here, then even eating can do that. What an odd condition we all have.

Steve

[AAJJTt]

Hi, I’ve had PAF for 5 years now, although free from a sustained episode for years, I do suffer from daily ‘background’ ectopics and the occasional ‘ectopic storms’. All of this was initially checked by my cardiologist and the burden was low; although it often didn’t feel like it and I’ve just carried on.

I have definitely noticed an increased awareness of ectopics post eating. For the most part I have learned to ignore them and don’t give them a thought; if I let them into my head that’s when things would spiral. On top of this, I do tend to eat smaller portions in general and avoid eating later in the evening. Over eating is a problem too, bloating certainly brings them on.

[Sixtyslidogirl]

I used to get an uncomfortable raised heart, ie in the 90s about half an hour after breakfast, and sometimes other meals. I put it down to a high carb load, creating a bit of a sugar spike. I adjusted my diet and hardly ever get them now.

[jeanjeannie50]

If I started walking after going out for lunch my heart would always kick off. I've learnt to eat smaller meals (yep even if I've had to pay for them).

I used to walk with a group and we would stop for lunch and they'd get out all sorts of goodies to eat. Me I had a banana and some nuts, how I envied them. People would see what I was eating and offer me some of their food and I'd have to explain.

Looking at all the answers you've had, you now know what you have to do - eat smaller meals.

Never wear anything tight around your torso either and avoid eating anything that contains artificial additives.

Good luck.

Jean

[Broseley]

Hi, I echo secondtry 's comment about the Vagus nerve. I have also found ginger to be brilliant but take ginger root capsules rather than ginger beer as the fizziness doesn't help. They work within an hour.q

[needlestone]

yes, if I eat any food containing wheat/gluten, aspartame or sucralose all will immediately mess with my heart. I read labels obsessively to avoid these ingredients.

[qp3usavk]

Yes! Me too! And always at night, after a big meal. Apparently it is vagal atrial fibrillation and linked to the vagal nerve so overstimulates the stomach. I also have a hiatal hernia which makes it worse. No cardiologist ever told me this, however! They just said, or rather he just said, there was no specific cause as I have no heart issues!! This site and the internet research done, have been much more helpful. So hope the support will help you. I just eat less in the evening and limit alcohol and caffeine! And take Bisoprolol, 5mgs, though am trying to lower this dosage now, with the supervision of my GP.