Can heartburn play a role in palpitations?

[DBA107]

I am a 40 year old female.  Lately, I have been having a lot of heartburn!  I have also been experiencing palpitations.  The palpitations started three years ago during my 5th month of pregnancy.  I have had a stress test, echocardiogram, and EKG done over the past couple of years and they have all returned normal results.  I do not have any pain or blurred vision, etc. with the palpitations.  They're just aggrevating and I hate the jumpy feeling I get in my chest from them.  I have noticed that when the palpitations occur, it seems that more often than not, I also have GI upset, too.  I'm wondering whether the heartburn can be causing or aggrevating the palpitations.  Medically speaking, I'm relatively healthy.  I do have hypoglycemia and about 20 years ago was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia (although that does not seem to bother me any longer), and I am somewhat overweight right now.  Any insight you can share into the possible connection of symptoms would be appreciated.  Oh, one more thing...last month I had blood work done (CBC, Thyroid, and kidney levels tested) and everything came back within normal ranges.  It also seems that these symptoms intensify one week prior to the start of my menses.  Thanks for your time and consideration.

[karie]

Have you seen a cardiologist for review ?
I have MVP and had a ekg, holter monitor to confirm , pvc'spac's and this will help your doctor too.
Many MVP patients have pvc's ,pac's before there menstrual cycle. Drink plenty of water. I too suffer with heartburn and have had a time of it for 7 months. This board is very informative

[Neamom]

I had my son when I was 35 years old and at the end of my pregnancy I started to experience paplitation as well.  I also get hearburn quite often.  I have had all the same tests as you.  The doctors at first thought were convinced it was my thyroid, etc.

I was diagnosed with PAC's and some PVC's.  Which are Premature Atrial Contractions and Premature Ventricular Contractions.  I take lanoxin once a day to steady the heartbeat.  My understanding is there isn't a problem with my heart but with my "electrical system".  The doctor suggested that I may have scar tissue on pulse points maybe from a cold or something that never healed.  There is a definite (hormonel) conection as my symptoms are much worse right before my period. I sometimes take an extra half a pill (ok per doctor).

I was told by my cardioligist that my condition is not life threatening.  It is aggravated by caffeine, stress, spicy food.  (I also avoid nutrisweet products.)
      
It is very annoying (seems worse at night).  It is constant but I've adjusted...it's hard to explain to others.  I visit the cardioligist every 6 months and he reassures that I'm fine and then I start to wonder if the doctors know what they're talking about!  Good Luck to you.

[DBA107]

Thanks for the comments and suggestions.  Yes, I have been to a cardiologist.  Shortly after my daughter was born, I went to my general MD.  He happened to be off that day, so I saw the PA (physician's assistant) instead.  I had previously had an EKG done by the doctor and it came back normal.  (There have been instances when my EKG's have shown an "S-T abnormality," although I've been told that it's not really abnormal -- it's just normal for me.  Anyways, the PA listened to my chest/heart with a stethascope and informed me that I had mitral valve prolapse, but it was nothing to concern myself with.  This freaked me out somewhat, considering I had a new born at home and wanted to make sure that I was ok.  I decided to consult with a cardiologist at that time.  That's when I had the stress test, echocardiogram, and additional EKGs taken.  (Prior to this, during the 5th month of my pregnancy, I had the 24-hour holter test done (that would have been in the early part of 2000) and that's when they determined that I had PVCs.)  The cardiologist I consulted regarding the PA's claim that I had MVP said that I did not have MVP and my test results were all pretty much normal.

[MAF31]

http://www.heartburn-help.com/peter.htm


This should answer alot of questions.

[giggy]

Hormones out of whack can also cause palpitations.  Stress also can cause them.

[s.mcm]

I have gallstones and must have my gallbladder removed.  I also have palpatations,  I am not sure if one has anything to do with the other.  But My Dr. suggested that the palpatations may have gotten worse due to dehydration.  I do not drink enough fluids , usually only one cup of coffe and a water.  I am going to try and drink lots this week and see if the palpatations cease.

[vero72]

A related discussion, heart palpitations was started.