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Is It Normal To Experience Irregular Heart Beats When Having GERD Flare Ups?
Question: Is it danereous when i have my gerd flare ups that i get an iregular heart beat ? Feels like my heart stops for a second then it goes again . I have had holter monitor and stress test but my heart seemed to be acting great for test . I know when i get my flare up its in upper stomacj under chest .
Brief Answer:
needs further examination
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
It is not normal for you to have an irregular heart beat from GERD. It is good that you had a normal Holter and a normal stress test but you need further evaluation by a cardiologist to determine what type of abnormal beats you are having. Some irregular beats like premature atrial contractions are benign but other types are dangerous. There is a test called an event monitor that is like a holter monitor but you wear it for a month. You may need this type of testing to determine what type of irregular beat you are having.
Please make an appointment to see your cardiologist as soon as possible to figure out what is causing this problem.
In the mean time avoid all alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and stimulants as they can cause or worsen irregular beats in the heart.
Regards,
Dr Robinson
needs further examination
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question.
It is not normal for you to have an irregular heart beat from GERD. It is good that you had a normal Holter and a normal stress test but you need further evaluation by a cardiologist to determine what type of abnormal beats you are having. Some irregular beats like premature atrial contractions are benign but other types are dangerous. There is a test called an event monitor that is like a holter monitor but you wear it for a month. You may need this type of testing to determine what type of irregular beat you are having.
Please make an appointment to see your cardiologist as soon as possible to figure out what is causing this problem.
In the mean time avoid all alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and stimulants as they can cause or worsen irregular beats in the heart.
Regards,
Dr Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
Brief Answer:
vagus nerve
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the follow up.
It is true that the vagus nerve innervates both the heart and the stomach. The vagus nerve slows the heart down, it does not cause skipped beats. I can not explain why you are having the irregular beats only when you have reflux. It is best to try and figure out if the skipped beat is dangerous and then do whatever you can to get rid of the GERD. I have treated thousands of patients with GERD and have never had a patient with arrhythmia from the GERD so I really think you need to have the abnormal heart rhythm sorted out by a cardiologist.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
vagus nerve
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for the follow up.
It is true that the vagus nerve innervates both the heart and the stomach. The vagus nerve slows the heart down, it does not cause skipped beats. I can not explain why you are having the irregular beats only when you have reflux. It is best to try and figure out if the skipped beat is dangerous and then do whatever you can to get rid of the GERD. I have treated thousands of patients with GERD and have never had a patient with arrhythmia from the GERD so I really think you need to have the abnormal heart rhythm sorted out by a cardiologist.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you doc . I will try my best to see heart doc . Im in the military and the doctors are quick to say im fine since they gave me chest xray , holter monitor , and stress test . Also i have been diagonosed with anxiety because of my symptoms . I phycially had my fingers on my pulse and felt heart stop then started back up after I get gerd from eating .
Brief Answer:
need minimally event monitor
Detailed Answer:
I think with that evidence of skipped beats you at a minimum needs a 30 day event monitor if they do not want to send you to a cardiologist.
If is also possible if you stop all stimulants and get rid of the GERD then the missed beats may stop
I hope it turns out to be nothing serious
Best wishes,
Dr Robinson
need minimally event monitor
Detailed Answer:
I think with that evidence of skipped beats you at a minimum needs a 30 day event monitor if they do not want to send you to a cardiologist.
If is also possible if you stop all stimulants and get rid of the GERD then the missed beats may stop
I hope it turns out to be nothing serious
Best wishes,
Dr Robinson
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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