Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
753647 tn?1233864881

More frequent palpitations after quitting smoking

I have had palpitations, and bouts of extremely rapid heartbeats for about 8 years, with varying degrees of intensity. I saw a cardiologist many years ago who told me that I did not have heart disease and there was nothing to worry about. I believed her and eventually got used to the sensation that my heart was stopping (scary) thenskipping and beating faster, sometimes many times in a row. A coupl of years later, I met an acupuncturist at a party who told me to cut dairy out of my diet. I did, and the palpitations decreased almost to zero.

However, recently, I quit smoking after 22 years, a two pack a day habit in recent years. I am feeling GREAT about it, my breathing is getting a lot easier, and I have started taking small walks, with the intention of increasing them as I get fitter, but my heart palpitations have increased like crazy! My heart seems to skip and jump constantly, sometimes actually stopping me in what I am doing, so I can just breath through it for a few minutes. I would think that these things would get better when not smoking. Any ideas?

Also, I have been having a lot of dizzy spells since quitting, not sure if it is related.
23 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
I got a lot of extra PVCs after I quite 11 years ago. I remember thinking, "not fair". I too was a two pack a day smoker. It is very hard to go cold turkey, and twice as hard when you are one of us who gets PVCs. It will get better, you are on the right track. I still get PVCs, getting them as I type, but the good thing is,  you are giving your coronary system, and lungs a big relief from the dangers of smoking.

congratulations.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I quit smoking about 1 month ago and the heart palpitations are making me nuts. I had a chest x-ray, echo cardiagram and EEG. All were normal. My appetite is thru the roof and I am short tempered. I am determined to stay on board and stay smoke free I am also trying to decrease my caffeine intake. Hopefully these palpitations will stop. If anyone has any good ideas that might help, I would love to know.
Helpful - 0
8268006 tn?1397369914
I have an identical problem, after quitting smoking. But I am determined to stop tobacco at any cost.

But the palpitations are bothering me. The heart rates suddenly go up and comedown with palpitations. The physician asked me not to worry after a few tests. Please guide, on how to cope with palpitations. And would it all subside, after a few weeks, as Brooke said.

Request help from community

Babu
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Sorry I mean a decrease in electrolytes can cause both symptons.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If you are exercing more and becoming more active you need to drink more water. You might be dehydrated, which can cause palpitations and dizzyness. Also if you sweat a lot you might need an electrolyte replacement drink here or there. An increase in elctrolytes can also cause both symptons. I hope this helps.

Nico
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i have quit cigarettes for 3 weeks an i missed 2 days of work because of palpitations,,i went to doc, got ekg said it was sinus tach which is fast rate but not dangerous,said it probably from quitting smoking, also i have edem in my feet an legs which i never had befor i quit smoking
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi Guys,

After reading all this i would like ask the u all to help me too as even i have palpitation and even i was a smokers since 1994 till last 50 days i gave up smoking and since last 20 days i have palpitation and i have been to all teh doctors even the cardiologist and did ECG and blood counts and the x-ray done but all reports are normal even i did tyroid test which is also normal and the doctor told me axiety is one reason

I have also started walking almost 3 kms a day and lost around 3kgs from my weight
Helpful - 0
703870 tn?1273024642
Awesome!  Glad to hear that your symptoms have decreased since consuming less caffeine.  You may also notice that you will have less nicotine cravings having less caffeine in your systems as well.  Glad everyone here could be of some help!  Zach.
Helpful - 0
753647 tn?1233864881
Thanks to everyone for the helpful information... Brooke, you are so smart and so practical. I will try to follow your wise example, I can only try to cut down on my chocolate consumption, not give it up altogether.

And Zachs, you are SO right on the caffeine. I cut out the diet soda and the caffeinated tea... still drinking my two cups of coffee in the morning, and after only two days of this, I am already noticing a lessening of my palpitations. I think after a couple of weeks, I will cut down to one cup of coffee and eventually cut it out altogether and see what happens.
Helpful - 0
703870 tn?1273024642
I just wanted to clarify what I said the other day about the interaction between nicotine and caffeine.  I know it may be hard to quit smoking for one, but trying to quit the caffeine at the same time might even be more of a feat.

I did exactly this only because there is no physiological effects amongst the two chemicals.  But... If you body is used to the nicotine helping it reduce the levels of caffeine in the body, then your body could crave the nicotine more when you still ingest the same amount of caffeine or even increase it.  Your body can only metabolize the caffeine at a certain rate, but it can metabolize it much faster if there is nicotine present.

I had tried many times in the past to quit smoking, and I always craved it too much, but this time I quit both nicotine and caffeine at the same time, and I can say I've had a easier time quitting.  You really don't need either chemical to survive, and definitely neither of them for energy. Zach
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i think that milk does have  a effect on the heart and how it works with the raise in ur heart rate..i was eating supper and i try to drink 1 cup of milk everyday..and i was eating mm,s the 2 helping bag size....last night my heart rate jumped from 65  to 107 at rest..and im lactose tolerant have to take the lactose pills..when i was a baby i was alleric to milk..so i agree with this on any dairy  products..and chocolates..i know hits hard to give them up..but im going to do it..i gave ice cream up 1 month ago its in the freezer going to trash it..and got over 1 gallon of milk to pitch it..i been having heart  racing anyways..this came from nowere..was just sitting there watching tv...thanks.
Helpful - 0
267401 tn?1251852496
Frenchie = Madwoman
Helpful - 0
251395 tn?1434494286
Hello ladies:)


Islandbeth:

The chocolate....it's gotta go! We arrhythmia sufferers seem to be forced into giving up the simple, pleasures in life:(

Frenchie:

I hope those M&M's don't came back to haunt you later! LOL
Helpful - 0
177337 tn?1310059899
I say we are allowed to eat Chocolate.   What about you.....
I say this as I'm finishing up a bunch of M&M's!
Frenchie
Helpful - 0
753647 tn?1233864881
Okay, I can start working on cutting down my caffeine, with the intention of giving it up altogether, eventually... but CHOCOLATE?!?! Jerry, you're killing me! :)
Helpful - 0
612551 tn?1450022175
COMMUNITY LEADER
Good, we've just found another stimulus for your temporary (we hope) heart problem. Caffeine - drink only decaf if at all, tea, coffee, soda, whatever, remember chocolate is also a source of caffeine... not much fun, but you'll feel better.

And Congratulations on kicking the smoke habit.  I quite 25 years ago, and while it was difficult in the beginning, even for a couple of years there was occasional temptation to restart...but I didn't and now I dislike smoking, it has only a negative reaction to it.  And, while I'm here on in the Community because I  too have heart problems, I know my stopping smoking has helped reduce my heart problems, and I think it likely I'd not be here typing this note now if I hadn't quit the smokes 25 years ago.  I too started exercising regularly when I quit smoking...works great.
Helpful - 0
753647 tn?1233864881
Ooh, thanks, Zachs. I have actually been drinking a lot more caffeine than usual. I always have my two cups of coffee, but since quitting I have also added two diet cokes and a couple  of cups of caffeinated tea during the day/evening. I guess I can cut the sodas out, and switch to the decaf tea and see what happens, but I don't know if I can give up my morning coffee.
Helpful - 0
703870 tn?1273024642
Just by chance, and for advice for you to remain nicotine free is to make sure you induce twice as less caffeine as you would normally consume.  Nicotine naturally metabolizes caffeine which could be a reason that you are experiencing a faster heart rate when not expecting one.  I did lots of research on the internet to finally kick the habit and that is one key factor in successfully quitting.  Zach
Helpful - 0
753647 tn?1233864881
Thanks so much for the great information, I will give it some time and try not to let it stress me out.

As for the dairy, I don;t know why, but I did do some searching about it, and did find some sources that claim dairy is a large contributor to heart disease, and some that said that a lactose allergy can cause heart palpitations. When I looked back at my food history, I could see that the palpitations started right around the same time frame that I started eating a bowl of cereal every morning, instead of skipping breakfast as I had been doing. So, now I eat other things for breakfast, but I do avoid dairy as much as possible. On those rare occasions that I slip and eat pizza, I start having bad palpitations as early as twenty minutes after I eat and sometimes lasting the entire next day.
Helpful - 0
177337 tn?1310059899
Congrats on quitting smoking after 22 years.  That is wonderful.
I'm sure you are still in widrawal because I had a friend that went through the same thing for almos 2 months.  Hang in there!

By the way, what were the reasons that the acupuncturist told you to cut dairy out of your diet?  Why would this contribute to pvc's?  Just curious as I eat greek fat free yogart every night and cereal with non fat milk every other day.  Is this not good for pvc's???
Frenchie
Helpful - 0
251395 tn?1434494286
Hi Beth!

Well, good for you! I can only imagine how difficult this must be, but you seem to have a  handle on it. You should be proud of your accomplishment and not say,"it's only been 2 weeks." 2 weeks may as well be 2 eternities for someone addicted to nicotine. I have done alot of research and have written papers while in college on "Addiction" All I can say is, "One Day at a Time!"

Withdrawal symptoms of nicotine can be very potent and include: Anxiety, tension, impatience, irritability, anger, restlessness, increased appetite, difficulty concentrating, depression, disorientation, headaches, nausea and sometimes vomiting, ectopic beats (heart palpitations), brachycardia (decreased heart rate), dizziness, shakiness, energy loss, sleeplessness etc.

Withdrawal symptoms can become apparent after only a few hours and can last for several weeks to a month during smoking cessation Most withdrawal symptoms last between 3-4weeks. However, some studies have shown that they can last as long as 10 weeks or more.

I would give it some more time to see if these resolve. I bet that they do! If not let's see what else we can suggest to help you out:)
Helpful - 0
753647 tn?1233864881
It has been two weeks. I know it doesn't seem like a long time, but I haven't even had a slip.
Helpful - 0
251395 tn?1434494286
Hello...

Congratulations on giving up the butts! How long has it been since your last cig?
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Heart Rhythm Community

Top Arrhythmias Answerers
1807132 tn?1318743597
Chicago, IL
1423357 tn?1511085442
Central, MA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Are there grounds to recommend coffee consumption? Recent studies perk interest.
Salt in food can hurt your heart.
Get answers to your top questions about this common — but scary — symptom
How to know when chest pain may be a sign of something else
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.