Questions posted in the Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: arryhthmias caused by esophagus spasms

Forum: The Heart Forum
Topic: Electrophy



I have been thinking and analysing my symptoms very closely over the past week.
After posting a message on your forum yesterday the swallowing trigger finally subsided (actually
within the last hour). I found myself able to compare the internal feelings with very
recent experiences. Something became very obvious. I now believe
that this problem may relate to the peristaltic motion of the digestive tract.
Swallowing initiates the peristalsis wave that travels in a one-way flow through the
digestive tract. When I swallow right now there is an internal peace that is so very
different from the turbulence I felt only a few hours ago. The turbulence always
precipitates the atrial arrythmia. I think the peristaltic wave starts and soon
encounters a spasmodic or uncoordinated motion somewhere in my epigastric area.
This would clearly account for:
1. the bile in my stomach seen on a recent gastroscopy.
2. the esophagitis (an expected side effect)
3. the swallowing connection I have always noted.
4. the vagal effect
5. the strange feeling of internal unrest (a very short-lasting feeling that always
exists right after swallowing but disappears quickly).
It may also explain why this problem has come and gone over the years. For
whatever reason the peristalsis re-establishes itself (after 3-4 months in the absence
of Prepulsid).
How significant the effect becomes on the heart rhythm depends on:
1. how long the uncoordinated peristalsis lasts.
2. my diet habits which could enhance or lessen the problem and not necessarily
cause it (ie GERD symptoms).
3. how much I force activity. The more I try to run etc. the greater the opportunity
for problems. By relaxing all the contributing factors lessen their influence.

Could you please comment on this possible explanation for these atrial arrythmias.
Thank you.

Dear Peter, thank you for your question. There may be an association between arrhythmias and gastrointestinal disorders because the vagus nerve innervates both the stomach and the heart. However, there are no good studies to prove this suspected association. Thus, I suggest that you speak with your physician regarding further treatment and diagnostic tests.

I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions. Good luck!

If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart
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