Why does my Blood Pressure spike when my Acid Reflux is active?

[CrescentMedicine]

    I was about to go to the emergency room because my BP spiked while my acid reflux was acting up. I felt a sensation in my chest and head, it was bad. Just when I was about to leave I decided to ride it out and it subsided a bit.
    
    My BP is 130/87 now and I feel good. I'm currently taking Prilosec but they say it takes 4 days to kick in so maybe that's why it didn't work. I actually had to take some Tums to keep the acid reflux down. I'll be visiting a Gastroenterologist very soon. Has anyone elses BP skyrocketed while they was having an episode of acid reflux and what did you do to control it? This all seems strange.

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the Chiari forum.

When you have reflux it can affect the vagus nerve which could in turn affect the BP.

If you, like me have reflux due to your Chiari and related conditions  PPI like Prilosec may not be the best med for you.....I was on it for years and it really didn't help in fact at one point it got worse....and I found it was due to the fact a PPI(proton pump inhibitor) causes all the proton pumps to stop working producing acids....BUT we do need those acids to digest food...and once you miss a pill those pumps turn back on and over produce acids....which is known as rebound effect....so it can become a vicious cycle.

So to get back to the Chiari side of reflux is many of us over produce histamines...so the right med for our reflux would be a H2blocker...there was research done by Dr Dianna Driscoll and she proved the theory about those with Chiari, and related EDS that we over produce histamines....

I used to get heart palps and all sorts of issues which are all gone now.....and I do see a huge difference since changing meds.

I am not suggesting you change meds, but do look into related conditions and the best course of action once you get those answers.

[CrescentMedicine]

Thanks for that informative answer. Truth be told, I don't have Chiari, I accidentally  posted in this forum but I didn't get an answer in the Acid reflux forum. I'm hoping it is the Vagus Nerve so I can just concentrate on controlling my Acid Reflux/G.E.R.D.

[selmaS]

Glad I was able to help....and glad you do not also have Chiari....do look into diet as well as other meds.....I know PPI's are  the first med offered but they don''t always help.....

Do keep me posted on your progress and what you find out.

The best of Luck to you.