Nice cuppa with a side of palpitations 😂

[IndieDot]

I've had palpitations since December. Also on Amlodipine for high BP since January. I'm currently waiting for the results of a 24 hour ECG to see what's going on with these palpitations. Just recently I've noticed that while I'm drinking any hot drink it seems to set off palpitations almost immediately! Anyone else experience this oddity ?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Some of the biggest triggers for palpitations are caffeine, (also present in tea), chocolate (watch those eggs!), alcohol and spicy good. It can be worth eliminating all from the diet and reintroducing one at a time if abstinence reduces the palpitations.

[IndieDot in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for your reply. I actually drink de-caf tea and coffee which is why I thought it was all a bit odd.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to IndieDot]

Have you tried a cold tea or coffee (not iced just cold)?

[IndieDot in reply to MichaelJH]

I'm going to give that a try as it feels to me like it's the heat causing it. Just wasn't sure if that's a normal thing 😂

[Aztec632 in reply to MichaelJH]

Sorry to jump in on the thread but I am wondering why you included eggs in the elimination? Not heard of that before.

[Aztec632 in reply to MichaelJH]

Ignore me !!! 🙈🙈🙈 Easter eggs 😄🤣

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

The one product that (to my current knowledge) gives me palpitations is the seasoning and flavour enhancer MSG (monosodium glutamate). It also causes me chest pain and nausea. I was hospitalised a few times (it is very common in high doses in Chinese cookery) before a doctor diagnosed the issue. For a period where I used to live we had a Chinese restaurant that was MSG and GSM free. Beautiful food but the owner was unable to make a go of it as without the enhancer he needed higher quality ingredients pushing prices up 15% - 20%. Alas many people prefer quantity over quality!

[IndieDot in reply to MichaelJH]

Wow! Fortunately I'm not a fan of food like that, takeaway or otherwise but I know MSG occurs in many foods. Annoyingly I have always had a very clean, cook fresh from start, diet so am somewhat frustrated by my recent acquisition of raised BP and palpitations however there is a family trend towards this kind of thing so looks like I'm lumbered 😂

[devonian186 in reply to IndieDot]

Has anything changed in your environment since December? A move to another house. New cleaning fluids. A server in a different position. More traffic. A change in a relationship.

It might not be food or drink.

[IndieDot in reply to devonian186]

Thanks for your reply. No changes whatsoever. I took early retirement 4 years ago and life is very chilled.

[devonian186 in reply to IndieDot]

You are very specific about December. You say no changes whatsoever so is that Pure coincidence or did something -perhaps apparently trivial-trigger things off.

[IndieDot in reply to devonian186]

Yes they started beginning of December just occasionally then gradually became more frequent. Then on 16th December I had to go to A&E with a racing heart and BP over 200 systolic. A few different meds were tried to calm everything down. Eventually Amlodipine worked and all under control now. As I said I've had a 24 hour ECG and hope that will shed some light on what's going on in there. Thankyou for all your suggestions but I'm convinced it's all related to family heart issues that develop over time as I have a pretty good and healthy lifestyle.

[MrHocum]

They have settled down a bit now, but I did find the same (and I was also drinking decaf).

It was all a bit random what seemed to bring it on, other than stress which was quite a consistent trigger, but a hot drink did seem to be one of them and it was always quite soon after starting to drink it - so much so that I often did not finish my cup of tea.

I have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is what the doctors are telling me is to blame (and does seem the most likely) but I do wonder about the link between the stomach and palpitations which is gaining in respectability as a theory. No reason why it might not be a combination of the two I guess.

[IndieDot in reply to MrHocum]

Thanks for that. Good to know I wasn't imagining the link between hot drinks and palpitations. I have in the past noticed chocolate seemed to increase them so I've cut that out completely.

[devonian186 in reply to MrHocum]

I suspect the vagus nerve is going to be a key part of palpitations

[sandandkev]

Are you not on any beta blockers??

[IndieDot in reply to sandandkev]

No just Amlodipine for now. Waiting results of an 24 hour ECG to find out if anything specific is causing the palpitations

[Spitfire49]

Hi, l have atrial Fibulation which frequently happens to me every day despite the medication l take. I worry over it of course but it is what it is as the saying goes. Try not to worry any worry’s take them to your GP and l am sure he will help you. It is a rotten thing but we have to live with it l am afraid. Best wishes to you x

[Dogsaremybestfriend]

The more you reduce caffeine, the more sensitive you become. Even decaf drinks have some caffeine. Simple spices like cayenne pepper, even ground black pepper can set it off. And the thing is, it may take up to a week to clear these spices from your system. I get PVC's from the tiniest bit of caffeine. I know how hard it is to totally eliminate foods. What I do is think about moderation if I'm ever inclined to indulge. Elimination diets help, but reintroducing the forbidden foods in moderation is very liberating. Keep searching. Peace!