Acid reflux the root of my palpitations?

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I am a 30 year old female. I have been to the doctors twice in the past for heart palpitations. The first MD dismissed it and said nothing was wrong with me after a physical exam. My MD that I see know was very understanding and took the time to explain to me that the palpitations are caused by the Vagus nerve and irritation to it. I seem to notice the palpitations are worse in the middle of my cycle. I can go a couple of days without them and then they reappear. I have been without them for up to 6-8 months before. My doctor put me on Prevacid and Lexapro (for my panic attacks). I am wondering if this is a normal thing to have with acid reflux. My doctor insists there is nothing wrong with my heart, although I have never had any further tests done other then the rigerious physical exam she puts me through. Typically when I get the palpitations they are followed by a burp or the passing of gas. My palpitations only happen once, by this I mean, I will skip a beat and then my heart continues in a normal pattern, it doesn't speed up or race unless I start to have a panic attack. Sometimes when I get the palpitation sensation my heart doesn't always skip a beat, I know this because I usually take my pulse when this is happening. Occasionally if I do get worked up about this they get worse. Last night I couldn't sleep, I would start to dose off and then wake myself thinking I felt a palpitation. I finally got up and took a shower after not sleeping all night and they went away after I passed some gas. I never experience any other cardiac symptoms from these, no lightheadness, nausea, chest pains, etc.

Can someone give me some reassurance that I am not going to die from these. I know that I won't, but convincing myself of this is hard. I have had these for about 10 years now and every so often they get to me.
 
think it has to do with the Vagus nerve which runs from the top of the throat to the abdomen. When it is irritated it will give you palpitations. That can be caused by reflux since that runs in your whole esophogus.All the nerves running off of this main nerve are attached to something inside of us. Google Vagus neve and you'll learn a lot. It won't make you quite as anxious about ti.
 
Hi,
I don't know if the reflux is the reason for your palpatations but I also have them. I have had them for years off and on. When I started having the reflux problems I did some research and it is mentioned on several sites that palpatations could be a symptom of reflux. I have silent reflux (LPR) so I don't know if that makes a difference or not. I have had several test for my heart and they all come back normal. Therefore, I am going to assume that at least for me reflux could be part of the problem. Good Luck to you.
 
Yes, i have them, followed by a burp which typically prevents them from reoccurring. Do a search in the forum and u will see similar posts. Do not worry, trust your doctor, you are not alone.
 
im going to google that right now actually. I went to the drs for it today and she told me exactly that, that it has to do with a digestive problem and not my heart..thanks so much for the input though, its all reassuring for me
 
I bet you have stomach problems like IBS along with your acid reflux. What happens is your colon expanRAB pressing up against your stomach and other organs. When it goes back down you tend to have palpatations. Don't worry about it, it won't hurt you. Try exercising and eliminate caffeine, that tenRAB to lower or eliminate the palpations.
 
I also have EXACTLY the same problems.
I get the acid reflux, which doesn't burn or hurt, but I can feel it come up into my throat and then fall back down again. Occasional burps with the acid taste. About an hour to two hours after eating something I feel the palps begin, especially if I bend over, turn fast, sit down too fast etc. The palps usually feel like a flip flop, a thump, or sometimes even a spasm. They will only happen once and then goes away and usually doesn't happen more than 5 times spaced out in a day. Then they will disappear for a few days and come back again. Today someone suggested I try Prilosec OTC for acid reflux and Phazyme for the gas to see if that helps eliminate some of the problem. I'm also going to start a more rigorous work out routine to see if that helps eliminate some of my anxiety.

I've been on a super healthy diet, I've eliminated a lot of gluten from my diet, I don't have dairy, I don't drink caffeine or soda, I drink tons of water, and don't drink much alcohol except the occasional glass of wine with dinner.

I've been to many doctors and have had ekg's and blood tests and all including my main doctor tell me that palpitations to the heart are harmless and benign. They won't kill us, they won't harm us, but they sure are really scary! and they don't help with those of us already suffering with acute anxiety.

I'd love to get anyone that is going through the same thing, and kind of keep each other updated with what seems to be working and what seems to make it worse. My anxiety is at an all time high and I feel really alone with this problem as I'm sure most of you do as well.

< edited > - love to hear from anyone thats suffering with the same things!
 
I also get the heart palpitations. I was thinking maybe it was from my borderline high blood pressure, but now that I think about it, they do seem to be worse when my reflux is worse, which is pretty much all the time now unfortunately. So I wonder if maybe it is related to the vagus nerve. If so, I'm now curious if the low-dose anti-depressent that my doc gave to help with the nighttime pain from my supposedly overactive esophogeal nerves might also help calm the palpatations. I haven't tried it yet.

I get what feels like a skipped beat, followed by heavy, fast thumping. It's a weird and scary feeling, setting off my anxiety which of course, worsens and prolongs it. I do apparently have a mitral valve prolapse but other than that I've never had any doctor mention they hear anything wrong with my heart.
 
like all of you i to get the same thing..the heart palpitations im always blaming on my panic and anixiety disorder but have noticed that if i have some indigestion or need to burp i get like this airy fluttering in my chest and when i burp they go away..i actually have a drs appt today to see exactly what is going on with these..
 
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