Missed beats while eating, swallowing

[ChrisAND]

Hello,

How unpleasant! I've had a history of occasional mild arrhythmia and "missed beats", all under control with a beta blocker. But this came rather suddenly, some six days ago, missed, or fluttering heartbeats while eating and swallowing. It goes on with every meal, with every single swallow. No such thing after eating, or drinking. My cardiologist sends me to the gastro people for check-ups regarding hernia, gall-bladder, pancreas, but this seems almost mechanical.

I'm in my 60s with no coronary disease, or any other major health problem. Has anybody experienced this kind of experience, and coming so suddenly?

[Zachs]

I can relate to the missed beats, but I'd like to interject some opinion they may be the cause of this.  I was once told by a ER doctor that acid reflux or heartburn can cause the esophagus to quiver or shake in reaction to many things. i.e. swallowing/acid reflux/sores in the esophagus, etc.etc.. Are you for certain that your heart is skipping beats while you swallow?  I mean the only way to know for sure is that if your hooked to a EKG while your eating.  I have found that when I have PVC episodes "missed beats" after eating, where I have heartburn or indigestion, is that sometimes a PVC and esophagus quivering can be thought of as the same sensation in the chest, and can be associated with chest pain, or a dull pain around the heart..  As a reminder to you, I'm merely speculating about your condition, and it could be a avenue to pursue with your physician. I'd go for a upper GI scope to rule out any problems with your esophagus that could be causing the same sensations of skipping heart beats.  Then again, we could speculate the the esophagus could quiver for no reason without any signs of problems with the esophagus, and the upper GI Scope comes back normal.  Good luck!  Zach

[jondsam]

Yes, I have experienced the same thing with my missed beats.  Everytime I eat or swallow, thump a missed beat hits.  Well the doctors say there is no evidence to support vagal tone and missed beats.  So I dont know what to do about them.  I guess just carry on soldier :o(