Stomach and heart connection

[cuprex]

Well
5 odd years of a darting pain that feels like it’s my heart,
comes and goes with month lapses in between episodes.

Age 46 225lbs Male
Here I am after discovering a strange feeling like being off balance, or sea sick when I’m sitting at my desk, I notice that my normally slow pulse 50-60 beats is doing a double beat every 2nd or 3rd beat.
EKG confirms the irregular beats.
I do high-end stress test; heart is great, CT scan all is normal.
I notice that if I sit, my pulse is wacky, when I stand
the beat is normal.
Cholesterol is high so I’m using Lipitor, and 1 month later
levels are normal.
Still abnormal beats so,
now I’m on panic mode, and my stomach feels nervous, I’m having problems breathing, so I do
the lower GI and I have a hiatal hernia and reflux.
(Prior to this 10 tums at a time was the norm.)
OK so now I’m on Prevacid.

Still feel like ****, slowing down on the panic somewhat
but irregular heart beats still going on, if I sit for too long
at my desk.

So Im definitely seeing a connection between my gut and my heart.

I’m starting to loose weight, sleeping on the sofa seems to force me to lie on my left and back.

I’m supplementing frantically with Omega, wheatgrass, B, E all the **** in the world until I read a thread on this site.

So the way I see it is that getting the stomach to lie in its normal position, should take care of most of these symptoms.

How do we get the stomach in sync?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I would consider further testing to ensure the heart rhythm is normal.  This can include an event monitor which can evaluate the heart rhythm during the times you feel it is irregular.  

An echocardiogram can be considered to evaluate the structure and anatomy of the heart.  Normally if the beats are symptommatic, you can consider medications (i.e. beta-blockers) which can help prevent the extra beats to precipitating into a more dangerous rhythm.  

I am not aware of a condition where the stomach would be the direct cause of the irregular beats - sometimes the symptoms from stomach conditions (i.e. GERD) may affect the rhythm.

I would consider a cardiology referral.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[yoshi]

HAVE YOU EVER DONE A SCAN TO SEE WHERE YOUR STOMACH LIES??

[cuprex]

Yoshi
On my 'Low dose computed tomography of the chest'
It says there is a small sliding retrocardic hiatus hernia suggested.
However I read the 'double contrast upper gastrointestinal series with kub' says no hiatial hernia but there is reflux.

Why only when I sit does my heart start to beat irregularly?
Thanx

[cuprex]

Double contrast Upper Gas series with kub'
Says No Hiatal hernia

'Low dose computed tomography of the chest'
Says there is a small sliding retrocardiac hiatas hernia.

Does this mean my stomach is not protruding enough to
make a difference?
By the way is there a length of time one should remain on prevacid?

[yoshi]

it depends,some folks take prevacid for a long time some said they take it for a few weeks and is fine.
have you ever tried GAS-X or extra strength GAS-X to neutralise gas in your stomach,may be this is what is affecting your heart when you sit.
alka selzer works too,except it contains sodium

[cuprex]

If the change in my heart rhythm is a gas stomach issue would it happen on an empty stomach.
say in the morning after 12 hours of no food?

Prior to this complication, for about a year I had been Jacuzzing for 30 minutes every night, and them I would swim my laps strenuously.
Do you know whether overexposure to a Jacuzzi is detrimental to health.

[yoshi]

did you test for h pylori bacteria if you have been swimming in pool and using jacuzzi??
i never trust the water in those pools.

[Vegas1]

I to have this problem when i sit down BANG there goes the heart rythem what helps me is bring water with you and sip it when this happens or get up and jump up and down lightly this sometimes will bring the hernia down in place good luck

[yoshi]

now i can be okay all day,but nite time it happens?
what is the problem at nite with hernia??why is my stomach creating so much gas??
does the resting position in bed makes it worse?/

[cuprex]

Iv'e done just about every cardio test possible, except for the echo, which is happening on Thursday - stres echo.

The bacteria that Yoshi mentions is that possible as a cause??

I can feel when my heart goes astray. No vest necessary.
Its not a pulpitation but more like 2 close beats and a longer space between the next double beat.
Only when I sit!!!
Thats why I thought there could be a gastro connection.

Lung perhaps

[cuprex]

Hey Vegas
It was your thread that I read that interested me in this site.

It seems you having the same/ similar stuff going on.

I’ve stopped exercising for a few days and it seems a little
better.
I’m doing acupuncture.
Q10, E, Potassium, Mag and Cal/zinc,
Im hoping that this well control it.

I’m finding out that the medical profession is like all
others, its about finding the right path to create the most wealth.
That’s why I find this site so refreshing.

Lets keep in touch so we can perhaps help each other find
the miracle cure.  ***@****

[yoshi]

if you are an avid swimmer,you should test for h pylori bacteria and it is a breath test and it is quite accurate.
It is easy to swallow water when swimming.

[cuprex]

Thanx I will do the test tomorrow and report back

[Lawn]

Just wanted to let you know that I've been experiencing what you're describing for about 15+ years, and have had every imaginable test.  My doctors have told me I have a vaso-vagal condition, which explains the link between intestines and heart.  I've had all kinds of cardiac studies and procedures, and all confirmed benign arrythmias.

[adamkurn]

I too suffer from very similar symptoms and situations:
-  irregular heart rate (double – space – double)
-  gas (rolaids/malox not helping much)
-  high (bad) cholesterol – taking Crestor and Niacin
-  I have increased my activity level cycling (6-8 hours/wk)
-  Age: 42
-  The gas and heart rate seems to occur after dinner or before bed
this has been going on for about 2 weeks
should i go into emerg. or see my GP ...i would like to have some id of what i'm into... Any comments?
thanks
adam