Fluttering under left breast from heartburn

[abl741]

Hi
I am having a flare up of heartburn and lately it seems to be on the left side, upper area, under breast.  It feels like a flutter.  What is making me nervous is sometimes I will wake up in the middle of the night from feeling the flutter and start to panic which causes my heart to feel like it is racing causing an anxiety attack.  My question is am I really waking up from the heartburn or could I be having palpitations or an abnormal heart beat.  Can acid cause this feeling?  I have been to Dr.s and have had EKG's with everything normal.  I am not overweight and exercise daily.  

[rojo2516]

GI issues can certainly cause gurgling in the sternum area which may cause a "fluttering" sensation. I think if you do research as well, you will find that lots of people with GERD and GI concerns also complain of these types of symptoms. They are probably not cardiac related but are contractions of the muscles involved in the GI tract.
I feel this sensation all the time and share your concerns. But I've had the full cardiac workup and have been assured I have no heart problems - so my symptoms aren't worth getting worried about. I would bet you would hear the same thing.

[Ratnakar Kini]

Hi,
Abnormal heartbeat can be made out with an EKG.
Acid reflux does not cause this symptom.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.