I have angina symptoms and a scan has revealed a coronary artery blockage. However I have noticed that sometimes my symptoms disappear when I burp.
Years ago a routine stomach endoscopy revealed that I have a hiatal hernia. I did some research and it seems a significant hiatal hernia can mimic cardiac symptoms - chest pain, breathing issues etc. So I have been wondering if my hernia is at least a contributory cause of my symptoms.
Has anyone else ever heard of this happening ?
Hi bizzy55, naturally we are not medically qualified. However, I was ill with some bad palpitations last year, I had it investigated, I was on hols at the time. I had two lots of blood tests and all proved clear. I am 16 months post bypass surgery. In summary, the doctor said as you mentioned that indigestion and a hiatus hernia can mimic cardiac symptoms. Hope you feel better very soon.
I suffer with cardio and gastric symptoms. Look up Roemeld Syndrome.
Since my heart problems started (CAD), and I've been taking medications (statins, beta blockers, aspirin), I've had horrible stomach issues, mostly the symptoms of gastric reflux, but I've also had two endocopies and a colonoscopy, which haven't revealed anything actionable.
There is, apparently, a syndrome (edited after I saw above post: Roemheld) that links heart and stomach issues (meaning that the stomach issues closely mimic heart distress symptoms), and I was told by a cardiologist that there is a common nerve (the vagus) between the heart and the stomach. That cardiologist was not particularly worried about these issues and said in a bit an offhand way, "Well, of course you know it's complicated," and moved on after I asked what I could do to stop feeling like a weather balloon...
myacare.com/procedure/roemh...
My medications also are not great for the stomach, especially aspirin; i do take PPI (lanzoprazole) but I can't say if it is helping...
I often feel bloated, and have the sensation of wanting to burp; at the same time, I get some breathlessness and even a bit of dizziness, and some chest pain. However, I've learned to recognize that these are heartburn/reflux rather than heart symptoms. Still, it's frustrating, as I'm often uncomfortable. I've tried various over the counter medications like gaviscon, and tried to limit potential trigger foods. Mostly what seems to help is eating small quantities of bland food! Blah.
I sympathise with you. My husband has all the same symptoms. He has been to the doctors many times over the years to try and get it sorted but no luck. Now he has an epigastric hernia - which they don’t do anything about it but that doesn’t help either. I don’t think that is the cause though because he had the symptoms long before the hernia.
it’s notoriously easy to get the symptoms of gastritis, gastric reflux and angina mixed up. I had a stent two years ago and suddenly I no longer needed medicine to treat reflux.
Last time I had an echo the technician thought I had a hernia pushing up onto my heart. Turns out it was my diaphragm which had been paralysed during bypass surgery. (Another story) Anyway, proves that a hernia can cause issues with the heart if bad enough to be pushing on it. Hope you get sorted. X
Definitely. I have reflux (GORD) and a hiatal hernia and often get chest pains from these problems, which are far more painful than my angina pains. When I am unsure, I drink ginger ale which helps bring up wind, and also have a spray of GTN. (A doctor once told me that GTN will help with reflux pains as well and I have found that to be true.) Another thing. Several times when I've gone to hospital with chest pain, they have given me antacid to see if that's the cause, so I say your theory is right. Better to err on the safe side, though, and treat it as angina.
I have a similar diagnosis and after one incident, a paramedic asked me if I suffered with reflux problems, which I do. He explained that there are many links between cardiac and gastric matters and told me to mention it to the consultant. This I did and was prescribed Raft Alginate (AKA Gaviscon) and Laxido, the latter to keep the bowels working as most medicines for cardiac matters can slow down the plumbing! He also explained that if you do not empty the bowels regularly, it can affect the Vegus (spelling ?) nerve running between the lower back and the upper body and in addition cause dizziness. Being a good patient, as I am!!! I take theses daily and, het presto, that particular problem solved. Hasn't unblocked the arteries though !
For a couple of months I was getting occasional episodes of very distressing breathing problems and palpitations. I felt as if my diaphragm was not fully functioning. Due to change of diet and daily exercise I have lost weight and those symptom have gone. My hypothesis is that the loss of some fat may have reduced the pressure of stomach pressing up onto the diaphragm.
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