stomach/heart connection

[sciman]

I have a mild cardiomyopathy and I've noticed that I go through periods when my stomach feels really bloated and my heart is simultaneously pounding away. It seems to be connected with what I eat. Does anyone know whether certain meals can actually add stress to your heart (the digestion process). Or is it more likely that my indigestion makes me more aware of heart issues.

[jondsam]

Well doctors will say that more than likely, eating causes the vagal nerve to be distressed and effect your heart. They have not yet been able to write that fact in stone, but it is more than likely true,  So yes eating does cause increase in heart rate to aid in the digestion process.

[Encephalomalcia]

Listen to your body.  If you eat something and get these symptoms, try not to eat it again.  I know the other night I had chicken strogenoff and I did not feel good afterwards.  My heart felt strange and almost like it was weighed down.  It took about 24 hours to start feeling better.  I have no known heart problems yet, but sometimes wonder with the symptoms I get.  We have a strong family history of heart disease (everyone in our family gets it).  I do know that when heart disease gets worse, the stomach will get worse after eating.  My mother could eat only fruit at end stage heart failure.