I’ve been having palpitations since July and they have got to a point where they are now affecting me very badly, physically and mentally.
I had a palpitation flare up about three years ago and I was certain it was a long term side effect of the medication I was on - I persuaded my gastroenterologist for me to stop the medication and shortly after (month or two) the palpitations faded.
Roll on 2022 and the same thing has happened only this time palpitations have been a little more aggressive. In July, I asked my gastroenterologist for the second time to take me off current medication (Infliximab) as I was experiencing the same long term side effects. However this time, palpitations haven’t really faded and if anything they are getting out of control and I am having doubts that the medication has had anything to do with this.
I’ve lost count the number of times I have been to A&E. The worse part is that this has all led to me having panic attacks, something I have never experienced.
A&E doctors have done various tests, including bloods, ECGS but found nothing.
My gastroenterologist ordered a 24hr monitor and that showed nothing.
GP has now referred to a cardiologist, not sure how long that’s going to take.
GP has given me some beta blockers but I don’t really want to be taking any medication right now.
There is a pattern, and that is that they tend to get worse after meals, I am hardly eating due to the fear of them happening. I can’t take paracetamol for headaches, heart just goes bonkers, it’s like as if as soon as anything hits my blood stream things go south.
Something is definitely not right, I have also noticed that my left eye and sometimes left cheek twitch constantly - but I am putting these symptoms down to stress caused by all of this.
Has anyone experienced something like this? In particular after meals?
Written by
Bertuk
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
A warm welcome to you from the forum, I hope that it helps you in your search for answers to your health problems as it has me and many others.
Its hard to know how to answer your question, but there has been many many cases on here were heart issues have been confused { both by the client and the medical profession } of being gastro related.
Heart burn { acid reflux } seems one of the biggest . You have seemed to have all the basic tests for this with no clear results it truly must be a worry for you.
At the end of the day you know your body and know that something is not right, I agree that palpitations can be brought on for many reasons from stress to heart problems etc but they need to be addressed.
All I can suggest is that you keep a strict diary of when this happens, what you ate what you were doing and how you felt mentally , this will give you something to discuss with your Dr.
Very soon others will come along and hopefully will be of more help to you.
Thank you, I have been reading other related posts on here and one that has stuck out for me is an irritated vagus nerve, given the symptoms.
To date, I haven’t experienced any serious symptoms such as dizziness, blackouts or pain. Palpitations are usually like thuds or skipped beats however it’s the frequency that bothers me.
I will start keeping a diary of what I eat and when they are at their worse.
I mentioned this to my dietitian but she ruled out that palpitations were caused by food, I tried to explain that it is what I was experiencing but she kind of dismissed it.
At this stage I think only a cardiologist will be able to give me answers.
Hello again, one thing I meant to mention earlier, was your reference to the vagus nerve. I do not know much about it at all but I am keen to find out more which I hope to do some research on. From the little I know I think the vagus nerve can impact on a lot of things. I have even wondered if this had an impact following heart surgery. Our bodies can do wonderful things and I think our nervous system can be ‘upset’ quite easily. As I said I don’t know very much about the vagus nerve but I do hope to do some research to help my understanding. Take good care and I hope you feel better very soon, Judi
Hello & Welcome
Palpitations are quite common and people do tend to get them after eating
My Husband used to suffer with them but he did go on a beta blocker which has resolved it there is nothing wrong with his heart it was just said it was one of those things but he feels better now not having to deal with it taking the beta blocker
I am sure others will have experienced what you are going through and will reply as they come on and see your post
Hello Bertuk, I recently posted about this because I experienced palpitations after eating certain foods or a heavy meal. I spoke to my Cardiologist as I am just over a year after bypass and he seemed to think it may be food but did not offer any further explanation. I also wondered if it was to do with side effects from medication. I have recently changed my blood pressure tablets and also eating lighter meals. The palpitations have now gone and if I do get any I realise it is probably food related.
There is a Cardiac Dr who posts regularly on YouTube, he did a video on the subject I will try and find it and send the link. Other hearties may know who I am referring to. I do hope you get sorted soon. The video I am referring to certainly mentions how palpitations can be triggered by food. Take care Judi
I was about to suggest the same as heyjude, I too have watched all of Dr Gupta from York cardiology’s videos, he’s very reassuring and easy to understand.
I was put on beta blockers years ago, I’m still on them, for my palpitations, they are good for the anxiety that they cause you too, I’m a very anxious person, any type of stress kicks my palpitations off.
I know exactly how you feel, your story could be mine, the only advice I could give you is, trust your Drs, and find out more about palpitations and there causes, ‘knowledge is power’
Although I’ve come to realise that some of us, our hearts are just made this way,
Unfortunately I let my symptoms so overwhelm me, I won’t go out alone, anymore, I hope you won’t let this happen to you, have you tried CBT therapy?
I watch The Honest Guys on utube, very relaxing meditations, beautiful scenes.
I was just going to suggest the same to Bertuk, I to have watched all of Dr Gupta from York cardiology videos, did they help you at all? He is very reassuring and easy to understand I must say.
Having been in the same situation as Bertuk, I feel for him, my heart symptoms were diagnosed as benign, but I found them hard to live with.
Hi Emerald1953, I did find the videos reassuring and thankfully with the change in meds and being aware of what I eat definitely helps. It is just frustrating when we want answers sometimes, or it seems to take ages to get any answers, all of which can add to anxiety which isn’t good for us. I hope you are okay, take care, Judi
Dr Sanjay Gupta from York Hospital has excellent videos, and in one he refers to gastro-cardiac syndrome. This describes the sort of thing you are experiencing. Keep a diary as you may find some foods that are triggers. I find that mine are prone to change, currently apples are a bad one for me. Small meals are a must for me. I also find good old Milk of Magnesia beneficial.
I have very similar problems - I can go a couple of months without palpitations, then get triggered (usually stress or adrenaline) and it can take weeks to settle again. Food is definitely a trigger - a heavy meal in particular. You could try fasting, or keep a food diary and see if anything in particular causes it. I've given up caffiene and cut right back on alcohol. Chocolate can be a trigger, or sugary food (cake now makes me feel nauseous).
It could be time of day, it could be the type or quantity of food you're eating - or it may not be food related at all. I find meditation helps a little, though sometimes it just brings my attention to my wonky heartbeat. Playing a game, doing a puzzle, reading or watching TV, going for a walk can help settle and soothe the mind and very often the heartbeat too. Different things work for different people. Good luck!
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
palpitations when exercising - 200bpm 
Notifying DVLA of palpitations
POTS? Palpitations and Kardia interpretation
