Roemheld Syndrome and heart - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

49,266 members31,180 posts

Roemheld Syndrome and heart

Autumn822 profile image
21 Replies

I am sharing a link here and I would like others opinions on I am convinced I have this but many people have not heard of it.

Seems like every time I have stomach issues even if it's just too much acid it triggers my heart arrhythmias.

Whether it be bradycardia eptopics fluttering bradycardia.

I don't understand why there's no more talk of this!!

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roe...

Written by
Autumn822 profile image
Autumn822
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
21 Replies
lettingoffsteam profile image
lettingoffsteam

That looks interesting,I will take a look.Certainly I used to get tachycardia after a heavy meal plus ectopics that lasted ages.On beta blockers now which helps.So do you get bradycardia after eating?

Autumn822 profile image
Autumn822 in reply to lettingoffsteam

I have bradycardia in the evenings and at night..i get lots of eptopics and flutters after meals or when the stomach is empty and acidic.

I always have a feeling like butterflies or air in my chest and stomach preceding a episode

lettingoffsteam profile image
lettingoffsteam in reply to Autumn822

Ah right, that's interesting how the same stimulus i.e. food has the opposite response.

Autumn822 profile image
Autumn822 in reply to lettingoffsteam

This is a GREAT article.

mimqc.com/what-is-roemheld-....

Smileyian profile image
Smileyian

You are absolutely correct it is under recognised. Some younger physicians dont seem to necessary agree the abdominal upsets and Palps are connected.

IrisCarter profile image
IrisCarter

It would make sense because stress and extra physical demand affect the heart. Increases in stress leads to increased adrenaline and cortisol which increases heart rate and blood pressure. Increased blood pressure means that the heart has to work harder to pump blood around the body.

I have heart failure and eating a relatively large meal (which is a full meal e.g. a standard portion of meat and two veg) leads to my heart pounding and arrythmia.

All of this makes me think that stomach issues may well lead to arrythmias and cardiac discomfort.

lettingoffsteam profile image
lettingoffsteam in reply to IrisCarter

I think there might be something in what you say there.In my case a rapid pounding heart after eating became my norm from an early age.I then developed a few ectopics which were put down to anxiety.Then a diagnosis of dangerously high bp (244/133!).Now I'm on meds things have improved but they're not perfect.

IrisCarter profile image
IrisCarter in reply to lettingoffsteam

It definitely sounds like something to consider. Eating is an extra demand on the body and pain increases stress so I don’t know why some Drs don’t acknowledge it! I’m glad that your high BP is being addressed. I hope it’s fully under control soon.

lettingoffsteam profile image
lettingoffsteam in reply to IrisCarter

Thanks Iris, actually my bp is quite low now.I lost alot of weight (5 1/2 stone) and gave up meat.I now take only half the meds I did and may have to cut out more.

IrisCarter profile image
IrisCarter in reply to lettingoffsteam

That’s good news. Well done on the weight loss too. It.s not easy, especially with heart problems and some of the medication.

My problem is BP that gets very low.

lettingoffsteam profile image
lettingoffsteam in reply to IrisCarter

I have a friend with that problem and that causes him to fall a lot.How does it affect you?

IrisCarter profile image
IrisCarter in reply to lettingoffsteam

The same. I have to be very careful getting out of bed, standing up from sitting or bending over. Still happens 3 - 4 times a day, but I usually have time to grab onto something.

lettingoffsteam profile image
lettingoffsteam in reply to IrisCarter

Poor you, my friend is frightened to go out now as he's lost count of the number of times he's fallen in the street and ended up in hospital.It really worries his wife as well.Is there treatment for it in your case?

IrisCarter profile image
IrisCarter in reply to lettingoffsteam

Thye tried digoxin which didn’t work and they’ve halved my betablocker dose, but its due to heart failure so there’s nothing else. On the one hand I.m told to drink more to increase my BP and restrict my fluids because of the heart failure. It’s quite a balancing act!

lettingoffsteam profile image
lettingoffsteam in reply to IrisCarter

Oh no, you can't win can you?Well take it steady and keep well.🙂

IrisCarter profile image
IrisCarter in reply to lettingoffsteam

You too :)

Sasical profile image
Sasical

I had looked into this. But in my case I get the symptoms when I need the loo. Every time I prepare for a bowel movement I get shortness of breath,.sweating, shaking and tachycardia, maybe from my stomach distending as my poop travels down?? So when I looked up those symptoms this did come up

lettingoffsteam profile image
lettingoffsteam in reply to Sasical

That sounds really unpleasant.

IrisCarter profile image
IrisCarter in reply to Sasical

This quite well known. As faeces pass into the rectum they stimulate a lot of nerve endings. It is also surprisingly common for heart attacks to occur sitting on the toilet on a Monday between midnight and 6am. Double stress of bearing down and starting the working week.

Sasical profile image
Sasical in reply to IrisCarter

That is reassuring

IrisCarter profile image
IrisCarter in reply to Sasical

Yes - don’t go to the toilet between midnight and 6am on a Monday :D

You may also like...

Heart meds and Raynaud’s Syndrome.

I’ve been put on Beta Blockers and entresto for my heart failure I’ve found that I get really bad...

Broken heart syndrome

I think I have this condition. My Dad died May 2021 and ever since then I have had a pain in my...

Broken heart syndrome - arrythmia

found out about broken heart syndrome but it seems to be more associated with a heart attack type...

heart attack but heart healthy

hospital in April when I had an unconventional heart attack. I’ve had lots of checks including a CT...

Living with Long QT syndrome

be prepared to message me. I am interested to understand your care needs and how you feel about...