G.I. and Arrhythmia connection

[ele__0]

Posted by elle on August 01, 1999 at 14:14:04
I am a 33yr old female who was diagnosed with mvp syndrome. I have had symptoms since I was 25, but was misdiagnosed with anxiety attacks. I never took any anti-anxiety medications, because I always felt that it was something else. I have always noticed that my symptoms occured after eating a big meal or having a heavy meal including starchy foods. Nightime is the worst!
To alleviate symptoms,I have begun to eat little or nothing before I go to bed. Sometimes even when I do not eat I get bloated, feeling full from the esophagus all the way down to my stomach. I mentioned this to my cardiologist and she said that other people have complained of the same thing, but she basically had no reason for this phenomenon. It really worries me because she is an expert on rhythm disturbances. There seems to be no research done on this connection. Doctors seem to think that the anxiety from the attack causes the G.I problems. I find that the digestion process aggrivates my mvp syndrome.
I have found that a change in diet has helped. I do not eat starchy carbs, sugar or meat(except fish). I eat fruits and vegetables, but have to be carefull of their gassy effects. This diet may seem restrictive, but I rather not have the arrhythmias and palpitations that come after eating. I find that chamomille is helpful as well. Nothing really has caused the symptoms to completely subside. When I find something or some lifestyle change that helps, eventually the symptoms will come back. I do not take any drugs because my doctor says the beta-blockers have too many side effects. She feels I am to young for the commonly used meds and instead prescribed constant exercise.
I really feel the medical community has not done enough research on MVP syndrome and G.I. connection. I can tell that there is definetly a void in the research, because doctors become quiet and flustered when I bring up the topic. If anyone has any info on studies or doctors who have acknowledged the connection please respond. Also, I would appreciate any advice on coping with MVP Syndrome, it is really irritating!
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on August 02, 1999 at 13:55:24
Dear Elle
This is probably not what you want to hear, but, in fact, a lot of research has been done on MVP. Mitral valve prolapse is an over-diagnosed condition, especially in young women with complaints of palpitations and atypical chest pain. True MVP is associated with abnormalities of the mitral valve that can progress to leakage of the mitral valve, possible to the point of requiring surgery. Despite claims in the lay press and the Internet, MVP syndrome caused by yeast or dietary indiscretion is just not true. Eating right and living right is good advice for everyone, but especially for people that are bothered by symptoms that are commonly attributed to such entities as mitral valve prolapse syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. 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 Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.