For years now I have been experiencing terrible palpitations. I’ve been prescribed bicopralole & have had lots of investigations done on my heart, including an MRI. The only thing they discovered that the top left chamber of my heart was slightly enlarged. Since last year, I have noticed a pattern with the palpitations which is after I eat food. They stopped for a long while but have come back recently & I have really started to pay much more attention to their patterns. After discovering some very helpful YouTube videos from a cardiologist in York, I have really started to believe it’s food related. I have been reading a lot on the types of food I should be avoiding & already I am noticing some improvement. Has anyone else experienced this too? I feel like I’ve been fobbed off for years. Not one cardiologist has mentioned this issue which I have discovered & I just wanted to know if this is a regular occurrence because it’s literally interfering with my life.
Thanks
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Pinktilly
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Hello, I'd be interested to know what you have discovered. I also experience arrhythmias after eating. Cardiologist always asks if my symptoms could be reflux as I have a diagnosis of GERD.
Well, I started to realise that after every time I eat, I get this onset of awful palpitations. I began searching online & came across this cardiologist who lives in York. He’s done a few YouTube videos about this which then made sense. I have now started only eating really quite bland food, cut out caffeine & trying to keep on top of having reflux with over the counter medications . I had started on omeprazole but stopped as this actually made my symptoms worse. I learned that omeprazole stops certain things we need being absorbed such as magnesium & others. I’ve been eating eggs, chicken, rice, fish & avocados etc which don’t seem to set it off. Although I’ve had a few flutters I’m keeping a close eye on it & also have another GP appointment on Tuesday for me to discuss my concerns for gastro cardiac syndrome.
Hi, yes I have had palpitations for years and take a beta blocker and it's after I have eaten my heart rate is affected. The worst time for me is in the morning after eating breakfast.
Its often reckoned that 5 small meals a day are better than 3 large meals. The vagus nerve seems to be key to this but there is not a lot of research on palpitations and many doctors are dismissive as they are considered "benign". However stress and anxiety over the condition only makes it worse. Some suggest yoga and meditation helps.
As others have asked what sort of food triggers it? you might find it helpful to keep a very detailed food and drink diary. A food that affects you in the morning might not if consumed later in the day. It may well be ingredients in a meal are the trigger as there are many ultra processed foods with dubious ingredients.
Thank you for your reply! I have been keeping a very close eye on my food intake & have been eating a very basic diet such as eggs, chicken, brown rice, fish, avos & nut. I’m now starting to learn what my triggers are & I’ve completely cut out certain things that will start off having reflux or mess with my stomach. This has been very helpful as I’m generally living a very healthy lifestyle. I exercise 4 times a week at the gym & am very cautious about processed foods. In face nutrition is always a top priority especially now I’ve been getting these on sets of palpitations. I find I’m getting them worse at night & just have to go to bed as when I’m laying down, I don’t get them which I know is to do with my positioning.
But your point about 5 small meals is very important as I will actually try this too!
Did you identify any specific foods that caused problems?
I suspect that there is a threshold for some things and if you are just below it the food or drink doesn't cause a major problem, but if you are already on the threshold then having a certain food or drink can tip you over.
I suspect that happens to me with orange squash, bananas and caffeine and choc so I am cautious with all of those.. I also suspect that whether it triggers anything depends on the time of day. I find that having 2 glasses of water as soon as I get up seems to help.
I’d say acidic foods such as tomatoes, anything spicy, orange is a big one, along with caffeine, sugar & chocolate/dark chocolate. Basically anything that I really enjoy (LOL). This morning I haven’t had any but I had eggs & peppermint tea for breakfast but let’s see what happens throughout the day 🤞
Yes, I can add orange and artificial sweeteners to mine.
The thing with Chocolate of course, and I am thinking of Easter eggs now, If you close your eyes when you eat them then they dont count or have an effect.
I have recognised cardio gastric issues. It took years to get medics to believe me. Now cardiology and gastroenterology are working together to some degree but each wants the other to solve the issue but to no avail.
I guess recognising the problem but having a solution to it is a very different matter. I try to find food and diet needs myself. My arrhythmias can be dreadful and if my gastric is upset then its a free for all with my arrhythmias. Its draining and concerning. I cant take most acid reflux drugs as they trigger my atrial fib and tachycardia so exacerbate the situation. Keep seeking ways to help yourself.
I have had this problem (Roemheld Syndrome) for some time. My Cardio just grins when I bring it up, well he did until he seen me having an 'attack' while I was visiting him. I do have abdominal issues as well, and after some talks about going elsewhere for 2nd opinion I have now seen a gastrologist and I am undergoing tests for food intolerance and am having a Gastroscopy in the next few weeks. I will keep you informed on how it goes.
Please do! I have also been referred to gastrologist too but I’m really hoping now I think I know what it is, I can try & keep it under control. But let’s see.
I too have had one of these attacks caught when I called an ambulance once when I was driving & I thought I was going to pass out. The cardiologist could see the palpitations but said that my heart was responding in a normal way. I’ve been told this countless times from other cardiologists too. I haven’t had any today which is the first time in about 6 weeks.
Sorry Elguajiro i also just wanted to ask if you minded letting me know what kind of symptoms you have with this because I was also reading up on your condition on Sunday. All of the symptoms sound too similar to what I have been experiencing, one including tinatous/throbbing in the ear. Do you find specific foods aggravate it?
Hi Pinktilly, my symptoms are more prominent when I exert myself like mowing my lawn and walking up hills or the quickening of my pace if I run? for anything etc.. I had lots of tests when he seen what I was like but all inconclusive, lungs etc are ok as I have never smoked. I can't go into much detail but I also have bouts of gastritis which I never suffered from before. There/s a page for Roemheld on Facebook where you can read other peoples problems and ask questions, also Sanjay Gupta has a page as well. There's also symptoms that we cant discuss on here 😜
Hi, I’ve been suffering from heart palpitations, tightness in chest and breathlessness for around a year now. I’ve had one walk in episode to A and E and one via an ambulance as I (and everyone around me) was convinced it was a heart attack.
I’ve seen a cardiologist, had an echocardiogram and CT scan and been told my heart and arteries are fine. So I’ve been diagnosed with indigestion, inflammation of the ribs and general health anxiety.
But I know it’s not any of these.
One symptom that I have, which no one has really explained is a “rush” that seems to start in the abdomen then go up to the chest. Then the other symptoms start. Does anyone else get a rush or flush with this?
I stumbled across Gastro Cardiac issues when trying to find some answers for myself. I joined the dots and it is usually around an hour or so after eating something (sooner if drinking) that the episodes start.
I’m at my wits end. Work is suffering, home life is suffering and I’m now afraid to eat anything.
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