Increased heart rate after eating

[weallfalldown]

I'm a 33 y/o female.  I had a gastric bypass in 2000, and lately I've noticed more and more that my heart is pounding heavily in my chest after eating.  I've also been having severe headaches that will not go away, so I tested my blood pressure to see if that was the cause.  It's a little elevated, but the last 2 days my pulse rate has been 120/121 after eating.  I've been experiencing left side chest pains off an on for a little over a month, but nothing severe.  The last two days I've taken attivan and my resting heart rate ends up around 85 once that kicks in.  Also, most of the time I have to lie down for an hour or so after eating, often falling asleep.  Is it normal for that much of an increase in heart rate after eating and feeling the need to sleep?  What tests would I need to see if my heart is ok?

[kenkeith]

Amy makes a very good suggestion.  Written complaints from you will be part of your medical record, and it would be difficult for the doctor to ignore or dismiss without commenting for the record.

After your consultation ask for copies of  your reports, and by law you are entitled to the reports.  I ask for the report of any consultation or tests from the records department, and they ask what I want to do with it? I tell them to get a second opinion ...true but it is my opinion:) The medical center does not charge a fee, but I would be required to pay if the records were just for my records. Take care.

[Me967]

As for your comment on "problems saying everything I need to address", you might want to type/write it out ahead of time before your appointment and have them read it.  You could even give the list of complaints/symptoms to the nurse to put in your file so your doctor can read them before entering the room.

[ChatterAlly]

Here is some interesting reading.  It's an old post, but you might find it helpful. There were a lot of responses on this thread. Take care, Ally

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Heart-Disease/Tachy-after-eating/show/250081

[weallfalldown]

I went to the doctor, but he drew blood to rule out diabetes, thyroid or high blood pressure.  I'm still awaiting the results and my blood pressure meds were doubled (since it was 145/107 and then 141/105 a few minutes later).  I just took my blood pressure, and it's fine, but the pulse rate is now 129.  Is it ok to wait around and see what the blood work turns up, or should I have pushed for an EKG?  I didn't mention the chest pain to the doctor because he was ready to leave the room after he addressed my TMJ.

I have problems communicating with doctors because I have schizoaffective disorder and have problems saying everything I need to address, and this new doctor I saw didn't seem to want to be bothered much with my problems.  I just fear a stroke because my mother had one when she was a few years older than I am now.

I live in a very rural area where the doctors come to clinics on certain days, there's a rotation of when they're there, and they're usually called back to the ER during patient appointments.  I guess I'm just having a hard time finding a doctor who will listen and address all of my issues, but it's a matter of where I'm living.

[kenkeith]

If you are experiencing palpitation (pounding heartbeat), high heart rate, and left side chest pain all are symptoms of a heart disorder, and the appropriate test would be an EKG.  This test will register and record the electrical impulses looking for any abnormal rhythm with your heartbeat, and it can be helpful in determining if there are occlusions of coronary vessels that could cause your left-side pain.  You should contact your doctor for an evaluation of your symptoms.

Thanks for your question, and if you have any followup questions you are welcome to respond.  Take care.