Fast heart rate after eating sugar

[Cookieisland]

Hi everyone,

I have a history of a fast heart rate for unknown reasons, and have had short episodes of svt. Generally it has been under control recently due to taking a beta blocker. I have had it checked by an electrophysiologist and had an echo.

This morning however I’m back to noticing my heart rate racing along after having sugary waffles for breakfast. According to my Apple Watch it’s sitting between 120 and 150 bpm while standing up and walking round the house. I tend to just ignore it for the most part now and get on with my day. Does anyone know if sugar is meant to have this much of an impact on your heart rate? I’ve also had blood sugar checks and it tends to be high if it’s non fasting, but normal if it is a fasting blood test.

p.s. the waffles were chocolate coated, topped with syrup and berries and tasted so good. 🙈

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hi! It could be your blood sugar levels - what do mean by high? Over 8, over 10, over 13? Chocolate (along with caffeine, alcohl and spicy foods) are known triggers for arrythmias. TBH I think you should be looking at a lower carb breakfast as it sounds like you are pre-diabetic to me.

[Murderfan58]

You answered your own question with saying what you had for breakfast. To much sugar. Your need a healthier breakfast. 50g of dry porridge made with skimmed milk and sweeten with 20g honey or with berries. I have 50g porridge made with coconut milk cooked in the microwave you don't need anything honey as it's sweet enough and lovely with berries. Or Weetabix,shredded wheat,bran flakes or make your own granola but low sugar. Also cut out coffee as that can give you palpitations or switch to decaf coffee.

If you also have arthritis cheese can make it worse because of the latic acid in it .

It's a case finding what triggers effects to your body. I can't have chilli, coffee,cheese,sweetcorn, very little chocolate only bit every couple of months for a treat or eat anything crispy like toast as it gives me blood blisters in my mouth..

[Aztec632]

Hi I have tachycardia/fast hear rate episodes too. I take a beta blocker which helps. There is a definitely a connection to food.Every morning my heart rate increases after breakfast and that's when I take my BB. I have a plain yoghurt and 2 slices of wholemeal toast or a bowl of porridge with a few walnuts. So even though I class ny breakfast as a healthier option, I am still affected.

The waffle breakfast would have finished me off!! It made me feel jittery just reading it 🤣

It sounds to me like you need to cut down on your sugar intake. I don't think that those few moments of the yummy taste is worth it.

[MoretonCross]

TBH, I'm surprised you even asked the question. Sugar is bad for everyone, not just cardio patients. We should do all we can to eliminate all sugars from our diets as much as possible. Take a walk down the high street and observe the results of high carbs, low fat, and high sugar diets. We are what we eat...

[WeeHoolet]

Hello Cookieisland. As Murderfan58 has pointed out, you have answered your own question. Note also how your blood test results vary between fasting and non-fasting checks. You may have found one or two of your triggers, it seems, so cutting down on sugar-filled and chocolate snacks is important, as it is for anyone who cares about their health. (The BHF website has lots of good advice on healthy eating.) If your symptoms worsen or include dizziness or palpitations, for example, or suggest pre-diabetes then talk to your GP or other healthcare professional.

[Cookieisland]

Thanks everyone, my usual breakfast is either porridge with berries or granola with yoghurt, so generally much healthier! It was a rare overindulgence, definitely not something I’m having every day. I do know I have a bad relationship with sugar, I am actually trying to gain weight at the moment as I am underweight, and sugar is always the easy route. I never considered diabetes at all, as I always assumed it was more to do with overweight. I will keep that in mind, while I change my diet to more savoury foods!

[Aztec632 in reply to Cookieisland]

I agree sugar is the easy route to gain weight. I struggle to gain weight and eat healthily with the addition of a few treats.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Since giving up nearly all sugar, I've had no arrythmias, and I’m out of the pre-diabetic risk zone.

[Aztec632 in reply to Kristin1812]

Interesting