arrhythmia and acid reflux

[Duff Man]

Please answer the poll (above) to the best of your ability. Basically, I want to know if you've ever had any kind of palpitations/arrhythmia if you've also had severe heart burn - enough to take medication, cause an ulcer or esophageal erosion or require surgery, etc.

Here's my crazy theory: Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (heretofore known as GERD) is correlated with arrhythmia; especially PVC's, PAC's and PSVT.


Basically, I believe the vagus nerve is innervated by the acidic reflux, thereby increasing the amount acetylcholine released.

here's a quote from wiki regarding acetylcholine, just food for thought:

In the CNS, acetylcholine and the associated neurons form a neurotransmitter system, the cholinergic system, which tends to cause excitatory actions.

As you can see, the vagus nerve runs right through the esophagus and through the stomach sphincter. From the pictures of my GI scope, I could totally see where it was raw by the stomach sphincter and esophagus from being soaked in hydrochloric acid all day and it's no stretch of the imagination to believe the nerve is constantly overstimulated.

I might be totally wrong about this, so I'm super excited to see what the poll shows. I'm not trying to say that all arrhythmia is caused by reflux (and certainly not the severe arrhythmias), but I do believe there is a strong correlation, and almost definitely a "trigger" for some people.

 

[Dina]

I don't know if I should vote because while I have had 2 SVT's that
presented with a substernal chest pain,I don't think its like GERD,but
the substernal pain I had could be related in some way. Both times
I had my arrhythmias I also had the extreme diaphoresis,anxiety,pain
in the pit of my stomach or substernum, and the usual extreme SOB
and chest pounding. I agree with you that there seems to be some kind
of process happening and anticholinergic would make sense to me,
esp since the anxiety comes before you realize what is occurring,
same with immediate and profuse sweating.
Good luck...I understand how it is to feel like you are close
to an explanation or a fitting together of the pieces that had
previously made no sense. When I do this sort of thing(medically-
detecting) my husband thinks I am nuts and my Mom just yawns
It makes sense to me that a patient has more insight into things he
has actually experienced

 

[Duff Man]

I'm really just trying to collect raw data Re: voting.. If you have or ever had bad reflux and you also have or had palpitations and/or arrythmia, check the first poll option.

 

[pamela]

I have GERD and arrhythmia, however, my acid reflux wasn't severe until after my OHS. I think that's more likely to be correlated to my reasons for suffering it although, I agree that the vagus nerve probably has an impact as well, maybe duration of attacks.

 

[DebbyA]

With two conditions and two answers (Y or N), these are your possible responses:

gerd / arrhythmia
Y / Y
N / N
Y / N
N / Y

Your questions only cover one. I fall into the 3rd category, which is why your poll caught my attention.

 

[Bina]

Last night when I lay down I had many strong PVCs/PACs that were starting to scare me.
I could see my abdomen pulsating but my HR was fine since I had taken my BB an hour or so before.
My point is that I definitely have more arrhythmias when I have trouble digesting. Earlier in the evening I had snacked on some chocolate covered cashews (who could resist those?) and I think I was paying the price of indulgence. I'll revert back to my plain cookie as an evening snack.

 

[Marguerite53]

I voted yes, but have not had any stomach surgery. I do need a 2 week regimin of prilosec about 3 times a year. I would be on it constantly had I not changed my diet. It is also less, now, post heart surgery and also that my PVC's have subsided (although caffeine and chocoate will bring on PVC's, I am no longer on beta blockers since I omit the triggers from my diet).

I have dramatically cut back on orange juice, tomato sauces,and lime and lemon products which seem to exacerbate things quickly. I do not drink milk or cream, but occasionally a latte (being lactose intolerant but not in a dire way, a hot milk -- heating it to a certain temp helps stuff break down, I've heard). I will not give up cheeses, but generally eat only harder cheeses (cheddar, parmesans, etc.) as the creamy cheeses mess me up pretty quick.

My worst offender is chocolate mint in any form. (candy, coffee drink with mocha/mint, cakes, etc.). I learned this the hard way 2 Halloween's ago when left with half a bag of tiny peppermint patties which I treated myself to for several weeks (one or 2 a day). I was miserable with GERD and did only then learn that chocolate and mint are truly the top offenders.

Good luck with your research into this. Keep us posted on what you drum up.

Marguerite

 

[Eva]

I voted yes...I never had acid reflux before until last year before my surgery when I used to have lots of palpitations and went to ENT doctor to complain about my throat and the feeling of last spoon of food stays on the top of my throat after I finish eating. He warned me that I had a mild case of acid reflux...the lump is the food that goes up again! He did not prescribed any medication...just to avoid citric foods, and to elevate my head at night during sleep. It helped a lot**


Yo

 

[Karlynn]

Prior to my surgery - all my arrhythmia was bad valve related. Since recovery and years getting to know how my body functions- it's clear that stomach upset causes most of my arrhythmia issues. It doesn't seem like the medical community is totally on board with Duffman's conjecture - but I sure am.

This summer I was having lots of stomach upset, heart burn and arrhythmia. I was put on Prilosec, without an official DX of GERD, but after a few weeks on Prilosec my arrhythmia issues went away. It was just confirmation for me that the vegas nerve plays a big role in some arrhythmia issues.

It makes me wonder how many people who report chronic rhythm disturbance are just put on antiarrhythmics without looking at a gastic connection.

 

[twinmaker]

Boy is this fresh in my memory! I slept sitting up in the lazy boy last night after I was awakened by acid coming up my throat. My GERD started many years ago after my 2 OHS but during the time when my arrythmias were at their worst. Don't know about the correlation though. Just a little over a year ago I had to have an esophageal stricture opened because of GERD. I am now on Nexium probably for the rest of my life. Last night, I had Mexican for dinner and it was 8:00 PM...a real NO-NO. A couple of years ago, I had pnuemonia and was having really bad GERD at the time. The doctors said the pneumonia could have been caused by inhaling the acid while sleeping. I never had my GERD diagnosed and treated until a year and a half ago. Don't wait years like me. A side note...my brother also has GERD and Barrett's Esophagus. LINDA

 

[dtread]

I voted "yes" but perhaps that might not have been correct. The way the questions are worded does not allow for many options.

I have had GERD occasionally
I have had palpitations or irregular heartbeat occasionally

Prior to October of this year I only had occasional upset stomach or whatever that required a Tums or similar antacid. In October of this year I went to a party and had some ice cream, which I am pretty sure caused some pretty severe GERD for me that lasted about 5 or 6 days; enough that I made an appointment to see my Doctor. He diagnosed GERD right away and said to take Prilosec if it happens again.

During the bout of GERD in October, after about 2 or 3 days I started experiencing irregular heart beat. I took a very low dose (1/4 of 25 mg tab) of the beta blocker Tenormin (aka Atenolol). It was like magic. My heart beat smoothed out in less than 5 minutes. I only took the Tenormin for another two days, then discontinued it (I do not normally take it; I had it left over from after my OHS). That small a dose and the fact that I only took it 3 days made it no problem to quit. By then the GERD had dissipated. I never took any Prilosec because I did not get to see my Doctor until about 2 weeks after the GERD. By then it was gone.

I believe that there definitely is a connection between GERD and irregular heart beat. But I believe that it is that GERD causes inflammation, which irritates the heart's SA node and causes irregular heart beats. I do not think that if someone has an irregular heart beat that it is going to cause GERD. But I definitely believe that GERD can cause irregular heart beat.

I had another mild bout of GERD about 3 weeks ago. This time I took an herbal medicine that was recommended to me by my sister, who is an acupuncturist. The name of the herbal medicine that I took is Bu Zhong Yi Qi Wan. It worked great for my mild case of GERD, and it was all gone in about 3 days. I did not take any Prilosec, which has side effects (I've never taken it).

Believe it or not, one other food that bothers me is eggplant. I can eat all the spicy Indian and Mexican food with lots of hot sauce I want. Junk food, fried foods, cake, cookies, eggplant, and ice cream are a problem for me.

The above is not intended to be in any shape or fashion medical advice. I am not a doctor. If you think you have a medical problem I recommend you see a doctor.

 

[Duff Man]

With two conditions and two answers (Y or N), these are your possible responses:

gerd / arrhythmia
Y / Y
N / N
Y / N
N / Y

Your questions only cover one. I fall into the 3rd category, which is why your poll caught my attention.

I know it's not inclusive and really flawed, but whatever... I'm not a health professional Maybe I'll redo the poll in another thread with multiple choice options... but I hate the multiple choice thing.

 

[zipper2]

Will Duff i voted yes ,more palpitations than a tree in the wind
a fib and have an ulcer,and on pariet for reflux Gerd since 1st
surgery 16 years ago so i voted ...........YES hope it helps you.

zipper2 (DEB)

 

[abbanabba]

With two conditions and two answers (Y or N), these are your possible responses:

gerd / arrhythmia
Y / Y
N / N
Y / N
N / Y

Your questions only cover one. I fall into the 3rd category, which is why your poll caught my attention.

And I fall into the 4th. I've never had problems with gerd/reflux, but prior to my PVR I was having thousands of arryhthmias a day - and had been for years. Since they put the new valve in, however, my PVCs/PACs seem to have all but disappeared.

 

[Duff Man]

And I fall into the 4th. I've never had problems with gerd/reflux, but prior to my PVR I was having thousands of arryhthmias a day - and had been for years. Since they put the new valve in, however, my PVCs/PACs seem to have all but disappeared.

then answer no I guess

 

[corrineinwa]

I voted no for Peter. He had arrhythmia/fibrillation (might still have the latter), but he never experienced GERD.

They put him on Prilosec twice a day after surgery (just over 3 weeks ago) to help prevent potential acid issues.

 

[ChrisM]

There is absolutely a correlation...I'm living proof.

I suffer from GERD as well as PVCs (which sometimes run together enough to be considered non-sustained v-tach). I've been to both the top electrophysiologist and GI specialist at Northwestern in Chicago.

My electrophysiologist declared my heart as entirely normal and healthy. My GI believes there is absolutely a vagus nerve linkage between GERD and arrhythmia, but accepts that no studies have been done to prove the linkage.

In my particular case, through diet and lifestyle modification I've pretty successfully eliminated my GERD without medication, but my GI believes I have a spastic esophagus, which effects the vagus nerve as well.

 

[Mayandi Soundara Raj]

I had GERD after four years of AVR done. I am now alright after my second/ repeat AVR

 

[palmaceae]

I have had very bad GERD for 8 years now. I now take Zegerid twice a day, but I think I have taken every medicine know to man for it and they work for a while but it gets worse so they have to find something different, so finally ended up with Zegerid. Actually I was planning surgery to fix my hiatal hernia and GERD but they found the valve problem so I thought the valve was a bit more important As for arrhythmia's I still have them 7 weeks post op but not nearly as bad as when I was 3 weeks post op.