stress and GERD

[Ozmercy]

I am 7 months post OHS and have been doing really well. This last month I got a nasty cold and have had some things at work (I am still in Fire Prevention) that got quite stressful. It seems that I get feeling really well and the old heart thing isn't even on the radar and then a few things happen and I am back to how I felt months ago. This recent bout of fatigue and irregular heart beats had me pretty concerned. One night I almost went to the ER to just get checked out. No chest pain just really irregular heart rate. I am on Atenolol and Vasotec.
I think what is going on is that I eat something I shouldn't and then my acid reflux (GERD) gets whacky and I start getting really burpy and my heart gets irregular. It seems to be all tied together. Oh yeah it usually happens when I am tired or under stress. Is this just something I need to get used to and slow my pace down. Maybe I am just pushing it to hard. I have been trying to get in good enough shape to go back to working in the fire station and maybe I just need to take it slower. So what do you all think? Does anybody have this thing with the GERD kicking their heart out of whack? I have also had border line diarhea for 3 days now. That seems to be related to the GERD and eating something I shouldn't have a couple of days ago. I had a beer with Mexican food! What was I thinking. Some of you may remember my pizza ER visit pre-op. Sometimes I am feeling great and then push it just a little too much and blammy I am back to having to be really carefull of what I eat. I am thinking of going to see my cardio, and maybe I should go back to my Gastro doctor as well. My cardio was so impressed with my early results he told me that he didn't want to see me till next fall.

Well I haven't been on in awhile because I have been so busy with work, but even though I haven't been signing on I have been watching and checking up on how you all are doing. Could some of this be medication side effects?

 

[Susan BAV]

Interesting question about GERD, "kicking your heart out of whack." The last time I had really bad heartburn (reflux), I felt profoundly unwell and it seemed to go on for a few days before I felt normal again. Now I'm remembering that my first post-op bout with A-fib seemed to have been triggered by a (heart) nerve my cardio says runs down near the esophagus. Maybe there could be a connection. Someone else will surely know and post.

 

[MSG Morrissey]

Wow

Wow

I thought I was just hyper-sensitive. I truly see a correlation between either eating too much or some type of upset stomach and (apparent) irregular heart beats. OR Maybe I am just overly sensitive and notice the irregular heart beats while I experience the heartburn???

 

[Ozmercy]

BAV and GERD

BAV and GERD

Susan,

Someone told me that it is very common for BAV's to also have GERD. I guess it is part of the package. Whatever defect made us have a BAV also made us have the GERD. I am just having a hard time with it right now. It seems to be to the point that it goes into high gear more easily and then the side effect of irregular heart beat. That is interesting about the heart nerve by the esophogus. That makes sense then that when the esophogus is irritated the heart also becomes upset. Verrrry interesting!

 

[baradonai]

Gerd

Gerd

I've also got the GERD thing and it really kicks in at night. My doc says that the acid messes with a nerve or something near the esophegus and makes the heart act up. This of course gives me anxiety and causes an anxiety attack in the middle of the night...which causes more acid, which causes the heart to act up, etc. etc. They all feed on each other.

I also think the reflux trips my occular migraines and light headedness. It does seem to be all tied together.

Stress and caffeine seem to be my worst enemies.

 

[MSG Morrissey]

Wonderful forum

Wonderful forum

Now I don't feel like the lone ranger! What I now need to do is begin looking up the nerve thing you all are referring to. BTW I too am a BAV. (well I was now I am a Mechanical BAV)

 

[Adrienne]

vagus nerve

vagus nerve

It is the vagus nerve you are referring to. It goes just about everywhere including the esophagus. Apparently, if there is acid reflux, it can cause what is called a vagal response. When people faint at the sight of blood, I think that, too, is a vagal response.

 

[Karlynn]

My HR will get faster and I'll start throwing some PVC's (or whatever) if I have indigestion that makes me uncomfortable. If gas is associated with the indigestion and I really get some good arrhythmia. I have found that an antacid will help.

 

[Cynaburst]

Hey Randy,

Nice to "see" you. I also have many more heart symptoms when I am also having heartburn or have overeaten. I also feel much better when I am following a healthy diet and watch how much I eat.

You should give Dr. S. a call and ask him whether he wants to change your meds around a little or take a look. You know that he is always happy to respond to questions.

Take care, and don't work too hard!

Cynthia

 

[Ozmercy]

Hearing from all of you makes me feel a lot better

Hearing from all of you makes me feel a lot better

First of all nice to hear from you too, Cynthia. I have been really busy with work and need to slow down. It is nice to know that I am not alone with the GERD thing. I am going to see Dr Siegel, but I am working on what to do regarding workers Comp. I did get a letter from the County saying that they have accepted my heart as being related to the job. This is really good news, but I don;t know if Dr. S will take work comp. We will see. Today is the first day I have felt better. Very indigestion and no diarhea. Don't you just hate it that we have to talk bout stuff like that!