Heart Problems

This is my mum's question: Why is it that after lunch everyday when my mum wants to take nap, her heart palpitates (for about two hours)? She is  50 years old, and she says that everything is fine afterwards. Plus she doesn't take coffee or tea during/after lunch.

[liezlevdw]

Hi! When I was pregnant with my 2nd child, I had the same problem. I asked the Dr about it and she said that when we eat, the bloodflow to our stomache increases, thus basically lowering the oxygen to our brain - that can make you feel sleepy. Some foods also contains natural "sedatives" (like turkey for eg). Some foods can also lower your blood sugar levels which can make you feel sleepy. If she has had blood sugar problems in the past, maybe it's worth checking out again. - Hope it helps!! Cheers!

[SassyLassie]

My heart had irregular beats after I eat a meal too and I lie down. Mine is due to a hiatal hernia that presses on the cardiac reflex, and thus causes the skipping.

Also, she may be eatting food she is allergic too, that will cause the fast heart rate after a meal.

Just eating in general can sometimes cause a rise in rate too, the body had to work harder to digest food, and this can also cause the heart to work a little harder as well.

[Lost_Wanderer]

Thanks everyone! My mum's figured out why her heart pumps so fast now. It's because or the cardiac reflex thing, her stomach is pushed up a little. She says to thank everyone for this!

[espgb]

I found this post very  interesting as I too have a Hiatus Hernis and have often wondered if this is anything to do with my heart flutters. Also I do a lot of sighing  it seems as though I cant get enough air although I am not breathless.

[Lost_Wanderer]

oh...cool.