Palpitations related to gas? - Heart Disorders Message Board

hobbiesaregreat · 04-08-2009, 10:54 AM

For the past ten years I have had palpitations, very mild, and then have never gotten any worse then when they started 10 years ago. This started when I was 19. Typically my heart will feel like it will skip one beat and then resume at a normal rate. It never races or slows down, just picks up where it left off. I have seen a doc on several occasions to be put through a complete physical and told that I am ok. My last visit I was told that it is due to the stress in my life, and acid reflux causing my vagal nerve to be sensetive. They have tried to get my heart to replicate the "missed beat" without any success. Typically this happens around mid cycle for me when my hormones have peaked, and will last for a couple of months at times. My heart typically skips no more then 15-20 beats per day. It seems as though after I get the skipped beat feeling that my stomach growls and I tend to pass gas or burp, which releaves it. I have never experienced any in a row. Does anyone else get this?

I am typically able to shrug this off and then on occasions such as this I worry about it. I know that I am fine, but need to know that there are other people who have experienced this. My doctor has reassured me that this is nothing life threatening and that this type of palpitation is normal.

windyajm · 01-29-2010, 08:26 AM

i too get this as well..i am actually going to the drs today to see exactly what is going on

ofacto · 01-30-2010, 02:00 PM

This happens to me from time to time. It usually happens when I am driving, I think its because of the position I'm sitting. I usually bring a can of soda and that helps me to burp and relieve some of the pressure. I also have acid reflux and it will sometimes cause PVCs. I try to ignore it, but it does worry me sometimes.

Darth Vicious · 01-31-2010, 10:42 PM

I have gotten PVCs' due to gas. I have had other triggers, too. Usually, it is when I have a lot of sulfur gas. I am sure everyone knows what I mean, the rotten egg burps or the bad smelling sulfur gas that you pass from below. If you are having this symptom, use a mild vegetable laxative. I was having a bout of IBS once with a lot of gas and my PVC's were all over the place.

But, I day after the laxative did its thing, I was feeling a lot better with only a few PVCs.

I do my best to avoid milks, cheese, and eggs. And avoid alcohol and eating. Best of luck and hope this helps some people. I will keep an eye out for more post from everyone.

scout316 · 02-01-2010, 11:33 AM

hi Darth

thank you for your suggestions

well I feel better knowing that I'm not the only one having this problem.

these are such weird related symptoms....trapped gas causing heart palps....but like I said I'm so very thankful there's others going through this.

strange but I feel better when I'm having a lot of gas...when I'm not it's like I'm struggling to pass it and it feels like I'm getting "little twitches & popping feelings" on my left side(by the bowel I guess).

I did research this and found some interesting information.It had to do with the vagus nerve and it sounded very much like what we are experiencing with the palps and gas.

This physiologist(I think that's what he was) said it was a hyperexcitability of of the vagus nerve..The vagus nerve absorbs mercury and other toxins more than any other nerve tissue.Trapped gas makes this syndrome much worse...actually could make you feel like your dying and is only relieved by belching and or passing gas.

Interesting is that 100 yrs. ago medical schools taught Roemheld's(or gastro-cardiac)Syndrome which described significant cardiac complaints arising from the stomach.

The only treatment he says is to watch your diet.

List of what not to eat:
spicy foods
alcohol
tomatoes
potatoes
fried,greasy foods
mints
dairy
wheat
vinegar
citrus fruits
nuts,seeds,roughage
caffeine
MSG
Aspartame

Also avoid tobacco,tight clothes around the waist,sleeping on right side,lifting,bending,...can also be triggered by sneezing,coughing & stress.

Well this is a lot to take in....I remember my dr. mentioning the vagus nerve to me back in June when I had my first episode of this.....do you think a gastroenterologist would be of help with this?

I have so many health issues tat I'm starting to feel overwhelmed with it.So I am truly grateful for your helpful advice here.Just want to cry me a river........

scout