GERD and heart palpitations?

[Rob2008]

I am about 80 pounds overweight, however I do excercise 30 minutes per day.  My weight gain was caused by a lack of activity from chronic pain due to a totally separate problem.    For about the past year and a half, I have had chest pressure in the same spot in the middle of my chest about 85% of the time.    I also experience isolated early heartbeats, or sometimes many early beats in a row and this is of course frightening.      These 2 symptoms seem to get worse and better together, the pressure and palps.      I also  experience heartburn, but only sometimes,  and the other symptoms are almost ALL the time.     I had a very extensive negative cardiac evaluation, including echo, nuclear stress, CTA, chest xrays, etc.    and besides my symptoms do not get worse with exercise and I"m only 31 anyway.    Is there some chance acid reflux has cause a chronic condition in my esophogus that could ALSO cause these symptoms or can there be some other cause you are aware of?

[Ratnakar Kini]

Hi,
Acid reflux can cause tightness in the chest. Though literature does not mention about palpitations associated with acid reflux, many patients do complain about that. Cardiac evaluation has to be done  and it is normal in your case. So, for confirmation of acid reflux you may have 24 hours pH monitoring done.
================================================================
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.

[Rob2008]

Of note, I have no problems or pain swallowing