Atrial / Ventricular Fibrillation and Stomach issues?

[KirWil]

Hello, I care for my partner (hi is 70) with heart failure and he has Atrial Fibrillation that occasionally sets off Ventricular Fibrillation. Luckily he has an ICD device that helps and keeps him alive thank goodness. I was wondering if anyone else had this and if anyone has stomach issues? And if they can be linked with the heart?

He has had lower stomach pain for years but they get worse when his AF is bad.

The drs did blood tests and a CT scan, they didn't show anything significant (slight inflammation on his large intestine). He has omprezol and dodna antibiotics but they haven't helped.

He was sent to a stomach specialist at a private hospital but that dr just said it was because of lack of mobility without even examining him. He was quite rude and it was a case of in and out. So it didn't fill us with much confidence!

No one seems to believe him that his heart episodes are set off by his stomach. I would definitely say that they are linked to his heart issues. My worry is something is amiss that is triggering his Atrial fibrillation.

Things are getting much worse recently he feels sick most of the day and can't move because of it. It's awful to witness.

He started on a gluten free diet for a year which helped a bit but now worse than ever.

His stomach makes a lot of noise like wind and gurgling noises.

I just don't know how to help him. And the GP bless her has been trying her best but I suspect has hit a wall.

I would appreciate any advice of you have any, thank you so much , very appreciative of it ☺️

[Murderfan58]

Has a hiatus hernia been ruled out ? My late father in law had heart trouble that got worse when he had stomach pain turned out he had a hiatus hernia and had it repaired under local anaesthetic. Solved the problem of his heart getting worse.

Also has an ulcer been ruled out ? As that to can have a knock on effect on the heart. As the acid produced can cause AF to get worse.

Just a couple of suggestions. Hope he gets help very soon .

[Sharpglo]

Hi, has your husband received a diagnosis of his heart disease? I had and have more so now, an undiagnosed pain beneath the rh rib cage. 2.5 years later my battery ran short, told heart failure, have dilated cardiomyopathy. The cardiologist said that pain was likely fluid retention within a sheath below lung and liver. I get it around diaphragm and back and left hand area was pretty bad w days ago. I am awaiting a diventeicular pacemaker to help synchronise the ventricles pumping and push more oxygenated around for my body, e.g. kidneys also ache. Who would have known it, not my Dr nor a general surgeon I went to. Loosing weight etc. told Dr thought I am dying even. B Hopeless describes it for me. So ask cardiologist. I’m on water pills to try assist. All the Best.

[VelvetSky]

Did you complain about the treatment by the private Consultant. there are some that think they are Gods. I complained about one I saw who was expensive and chose to call me a liar, don’t let them get away with it, it’s our lives.

[Jedi14]

When I had similar problem my GP, quite unexpectedly, inreased the dose for omezoparole for few days until things settled.

[Pinkroses123]

Have you tried cutting out dairy products? That can cause all the issues you mention although not the AF.

[Elguajiro]

I have long term stomach/bowel problems and I also have a pacemaker, check out gastrocardiac syndrome and see if symptoms are similar.

[RoyMacDonald]

Sounds like IBS, which I suffer from and it's made worse when I have a bad bout with my heart AF as it triggers ANP, and that has me up about every 2 hours to use the bathroom.

All the best.

Roy

[Calmac13]

I can totally relate to your husband’s issues. I am convinced that digestive issues have a direct effect on other health problems ( and vice versa ) I am 64 , have an ICD , atrial fibrillation and stomach problems. I have just had a VT ablation to see if that helps and I get less inappropriate shocks. Good luck with getting an empathetic ear.

[Deejay62]

Hi I have severe heart failure and I’ve had stomach pains for years but the doctors don’t take it seriously.

Since being put on Edoxaban, anticoagulant for Afib, and Ezetimibe, which is a lipid for cholesterol, I’ve noticed one of them sometimes makes my stomach churn and it makes a lot of noise like I’m hungry, but I’m not, as most times it’s after a meal. I also burp loudly when I’ve never been a burper. Sometimes my stomach feels sore and uncomfortable for no reason, it burns and hurts. I feel it’s fluid build up, but what do I know.

The bloating and pain started years before I started taking those last two meds, but the burping and churning started recently.

All the best