Connection between heart, stomach and vagus nerve.

[GoodHearty]

Very informative proposition, in case you’ve not seen this YT video.

youtu.be/dygAlCK2UtY?si=L4u...(Not working as expected?)

[Yumz199725]

Brilliant video thanks for sharing!

[devonian186]

Many of us point out the importance of the Vagus nerve but still there seems little interest in it. I will watch the video after breakfast and would urge those with heart or stomach disorders to find out more about the vagus nerve.

[pasigal in reply to devonian186]

Yes, I had a cardiologist (not my usual one) mention that when I was complaining of odd chest pains and reflux. He said, well, of course you are having those pains because of the vagus nerve, and walked away to see a patient 🙂. I really wanted to know more.

[HighJumpCoach]

It's so great to finally hear some confirmation of my own suspicions. I have ectopics which definitely worsen with stress. I then end up in a vicious circle of becoming more worried and anxious about them etc etc. Lots of you know the feeling. They are much reduced with Flecainide, but as an acupuncturist I also want to look into underlying causes and lifestyle changes which might reduce the symptoms without pharmaceuticals. All associated symptoms for me always pointed at the vagus nerve: a feeling of fullness and/or pain below mid and left ribcage affecting both the stomach and bowel in that area, tightness in the diaphragm with shortness of breath, throbbing sensation along my left scm muscle in front of the neck, severe tightness of the left back neck muscles.... When I was going through the menopause, I also had accelerated heart rates for no reason and shooting nerve pains into the left breast. These settled with HRT (together with other symptoms). I have been doing exercises to ease the vagus nerve and they seem to help. Working on stress levels is not so easy, due to family circumstances, but I do my best. I am experimenting with cold water dipping. Dr Arielle Schwartz does some good work on YouTube for the vagus nerve. And as an acupuncturist, I know which areas around the ear to stimulate with needles or beads.

[GoodHearty in reply to HighJumpCoach]

Some great comments, sounds like you are taking the AFib battle on with purpose.

Re cold water, in Ayurveda one of the daily practices is to do exactly that, however most people would find it very difficult, but I always at least splash cold water over my head/fave after shower as it has the exhilarating feeling but also, from what I have learned, serves to reset the vagus nerve. I really believe in it. I have avoided taking medications, other than Mg/D3 supplements and to keep control of blood pressure by eating stalk of celery everyday (lookup YT on nitric oxide, it will explain all).

Best wishes to you.

[HighJumpCoach in reply to GoodHearty]

Thank you for that. I have been taking Mg Glycinate and VitD3 + K2 for several years now, so fully support that as well. I cold dip in a tub in the garden for 4mins 3 times a week after exercise, as it also helps with my sciatica and general aches and pains. Plus it seems to have helped the steady weightloss I have been doing for 10 months. Previously, I used to plateau and then give up (I am also trying to avoid statins, as I have familial hyperglycaemia, hence the weightloss). I have the typical bradycardia when I cold dip, in that my heartrate drops to the 60s. I might try the face as well next time to see if it stimulates the vagus nerve and affects the heart rate, so thanks for the tip. I am going to discuss this with my Cardiologist when I see him in November. He seems to be the type that's open to other ways of addressing issues, rather than just pharmaceuticals. I might need some medical suppkrt for a while though, because with family abroad needing help, some of the stress around that is almost unavoidable.

[AAJJTt in reply to GoodHearty]

Interesting. I have PAF, which is currently treated with daily - Flecainide - no episodes for 4+ years. My Afib has been described as having a ‘vagal tone’ as all previous episodes began very late a night or early in the morning.

I have always been pretty active and still maintain good exercise tolerance (cycling, climbing and running). However, I have been advised by my cardiologist to stay away from cold water swimming and scuba diving. Cold water shock is a vagal response and it’s best to avoid anything that might trigger/aggravate it.

[GoodHearty in reply to AAJJTt]

It’s a balance isn’t it? For some it may be resetting it, for others it may be aggravating it? I am from Indian heritage, and ever since I was a child I have seen elders routinely splash cold water on face/head, now I think I understand the significance to vagus tone?

Best wishes.

[AAJJTt in reply to GoodHearty]

Indeed. I don’t have any qualms about cold water on my face, it’s more about full body immersion and maybe in an environment where any loss of capability might be more serious. I still jump in water 😀 but I try and stick to warmer seasons and climates plus use a wetsuit when appropriate.

[BlueDouble007]

Brilliant thank you for the info.

[PinkKizzie]

Hi GoodHearty, many thanks for posting this. Take care.

[Art-99]

Interesting, thanks for sharing.

[Cavalierrubie]

Thank you for this video. I am exactly how the gastroenterologist described. I have not been the same after my endoscopy and my AF has deteriorated. I have an appointment with my cardiologist on 20th November because l am having either ectopics, palpitations or atrial flutter (don’t know which yet) after l have eaten and stand up, it also sounds as the gastroenterologist explained like oesophageal spasms. I have a hiatus hernia and gerd. It’s amazing how many of us suffer with stomach issues as well as heart issues. There has to be some connection. Let’s hope they find out much more very soon.

[GoodHearty in reply to Cavalierrubie]

It will be interesting if you ask the questions related to stomach and his/her reaction. Do post anything that may be useful to us.

Best wishes.

[Cavalierrubie in reply to GoodHearty]

Of course l will. We all need help with this awful condition. I find out so much helpful information on here and it has helped so much because l suffer with terrible health anxiety since my diagnosis. I dread to think where l would have been without this forum. Thanks.

[Luckycat24]

Thanks for posting, very interesting. My ectopic beats definitely increase when I eat and drink. I also recommend looking at blood sugar spikes after eating short-chain carbs such as potatoes, cakes, white rice and bread. These make my heart race and improve when I eat whole grains, bean, pulses etc. In fact, I may create a discussion around this...