For the past two years I have suffered from a periodic irregular heart beat. Seems to be associated with gas due to the fact that belching seems to relieve the symptoms and I always hear gas movement in my stomach and chest when it happens. It feels like an air bubble is bursting literally inside my heart and I will usually jump and panic. Sometimes it will happen several times in a row and other times just once. It varies on how many times it happens throughout the day as well. Seems to always happen as soon as I lay down to bed. I first saw a cardiologist and he performed a stress test and said all was fine. I have recently visited with my family doctor and he said that it is pretty much impossible for gas to effect the heart in that way. It is really frustrating to know something isn't right and to keep having to throw money at doctors time and time again to get the same answer???
Does anybody out there have these same symptoms? Any comments or advise would be greatly appreciated!!

When I'm bloated with gas, I have a lot of extra beats (PACs) that occasionally trigger SVT. My problems are more related to the lower GI tract than the stomach, but there is no doubt about the link.

If you're having trouble catching this activity to prove to your doctor that something isn't quite right, they do have long-term monitors available to catch irregular rhythms that are infrequent. Ask your doctor if that may be an option.

Thanks for the reply and information Broncosfan. Sounds like we have pretty much the same symptoms. Did you see a gastrologist to get digonsed with irritable bowel syndrome. Is there any medication that can be taken to relieve the symptoms? How often are you having the palps? I am really looking forward to finding a medication or procedure that will help me, I don't want to have this problem for the rest of my life. It is very scary when it happens. I do already feel somewhat better just knowing there is someone else out there having what sounds like the same symptoms. Thanks again!

Also, will you please let me know what PAC's and SVT's are?

[This message has been edited by esmithfan1 (edited 02-16-2003).]

PAC's are Premature Atrial Contractions. They're commonly known as a skipped beat, your doctor will most likely not be able to deal with the inappropriate terminology, and call them extra beats. They can trigger palpitations in people whose hearts have the electrical structure capable of having palpitations. SVT is Supra Ventricular Tacchycardia--a technical name for a specific type of palpitations.

As far as irritable bowel syndrome, I did go to a GI doc for the diagnosis, and some of the testing is very unpleasant. In the end, they diagnose IBS by ruling out everything else, and there is no single way to alleviate the symptoms. Everyone's body responds differently, you may want to check out the IBS board for suggestions. What helps me is staying away from alcohol (which is a tough one), beans, and bananas. Exercising helps my symptoms alot. But I still have problems, and I've just learned to deal with with the pain & pressure.

I can guarantee that you don't have any gas from your digestive system entering your heart, as you wouldn't be alive. You would have died from an infection long ago, and it's pretty much physically impossible for large quantities of gas from your digestive tract to enter your blood stream, even if your digestive system ruptured. Most often, when that happens, you have a few hours, at most, to live.

I've had an ablation to get rid of the SVT twice now, and it didn't fully work on either attempt. But, it has worked enough to reduce the frequency of my attacks considerably (a few attacks in bunches every few months). You doctor has to confirm your irregular heartbeat by catching it on a monitor, and then determine if it is something that can be helped by either medicines, changes in lifestyle, or the ablation procedure. If you want to know more about ablations, search around this board or the internet.

Hope this helps.


[This message has been edited by broncosfan (edited 02-27-2003).]

I get rapid heart beat and hard beats all associated with terrible stomach gas. I take gas tablets and drink a lot fo water, walk around and burp it out, may take 30 minutes or more. I cannot believe the amount of gas in me sometimes. Once the gas feels gone my heart rate comes right down but it can be really scary at times, like you are going to blow up and have a heart attack at the same time.
George

I know how you feel George. I am still having the same problem and have also been taking some medication before my meals to help pass the gas but it does not seem to work. I am planning to see my doctor again and find out if he will put me on a monitor and try to pick up on my problem. I now realize that I am having palpatations that are sometimes brought on by gas and bloating. I have started keeping a log of my meals and my palps to see if I can figure out what foods might be causing the problem. I have been eating very healthy, quit coffee and cokes and have been working out regularly for the past three months and it hasn't made a difference yet. I still have hope that I will one day figure out what to do to at least reduce the palps. I really appreciate this post!

Thanks to all-

~Chris

I can say that Paxil has lessen my rapid heart beat by quite a lot. That seems to suggest it's panic but I think it's that I have anxiety and tend to swallow air all day. Then I eat something at night which adds to it, lay down to bed and the gas moves up toward the heart, puts pressure and there you go. Do try water and gas tablets to help get it out. Take a gas tablet off and on during the day. Good luck with it. George

As you belch and expell air, you might also be refluxing small amounts of gastric secretions. This is referred to as "silent aspiration". You might not even realize it is happening. If you are taking anti-acids you would be neutalizing the acidity enough that you don't feel the burning. This could cause irritation to your airway and ultimately your heart, thereby causing PACs.

Your esophagus lies right next to your heart and the explosion of gas through the lower esophageal sphincter could definitely give you the sensation that gas was exploding into your heart. Obviously that couldn't happen or (as another posting said) you would be dead.

Try to reduce your fat intake, eat less spicey foods, avoid caffeine (chocolate, coffee, tea, cocoa), avoid alcoholic beverages, avoid wintergreen and mints. Drink more water. And, don't lie down right after a meal.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I still have some problem with it but watching what I eat and when helps. Seems so strange that I can get that much gas and it can affect the heart rate but it surely does.

Hi All...I have the same problems that you have,,I have GERD and I take Nexium and it helps a lot...I used to have the Esphogus close up when it was irritated and I couldn't swallow anything including Saliva...It was very painful and of course my heart rate when up because I got anxious. I learned to relax enough so the esphogus would open back up but that could take up to a few hours. I think Gas effects a lot of these symptoms..feel better, Joyce

Hi All...I have the same problems that you have,,I have GERD and I take Nexium and it helps a lot...I used to have the Esphogus close up when it was irritated and I couldn't swallow anything including Saliva...It was very painful and of course my heart rate when up because I got anxious. I learned to relax enough so the esphogus would open back up but that could take up to a few hours. I think Gas effects a lot of these symptoms..feel better, Joyce

Oh the chest pain/burn symptomatology between GERD, angina, heartburn, esophagitis, even MSG and nitrite sensitivity, are all so similar and scary that anxiety is very often the result.

Panic and anxiety will speed the heart, cause sweating and often trigger irregular beats if the person is prone to them.

I've always wondered why so many people are diagnosed with angina AND GERD...seems even the MD's are fooled by the symptoms...my mom never new which was causing the pain...til the last one killed her!

I wonder if anyone has also experience PVC's after eating. I have noticed that they sometimes will start after I eat, there are times when I have to make myself burp and for some reason they will subside. I am on beta-blockers and the medicine does help, but if I have not taken my medicine and I eat not even five minutes later I begin to feel the PVC's acting up and they will not let up till I take the beta-blocker and wait a while. has anyone experienced this after eating?

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WOW< I have the exact same thing, gas, bloating, and 10 plus PVCs per minute, I have had the PVCs for 7 years on and off, usually when they start they go for a few days non stop along with the GAS....doc told me same thing, no connection. Well we cant all be coincidence. I think the gas in the stomach is pushing up on the aeorta and diaghram causing it