cold drink ? ? ?

[marshterry]

I'm new here and this question may have come and gone a dozen times
. . . . but . . .
I experience tachycardia semi frequently and it's being treated with a beta blocker which "sorta" works.

Question:  Sometimes I can trigger a tachycardia episode by taking a big swallow of an ice cold drink.  Does anyone know why?

Marsh

[DeltaDawn23]

I have had 2 afib episodes in which a cold drink was a definite trigger.  Also, a large meal has done it for me.  I think, however, that I must be "on the verge" of an episode for the cold drink to make the difference.  I've had cold drinks a zillon times with no effect.

[lifeimprovement]

Being hungry getting cold or drinking and eating cold are MAJOR Triggers for me.

[tom_h]

"The left atrium (upper chamber) is located next to esophagus, and is often affected by it, and PACs are easily triggered by drinking and eating, both mechanical and caused by temperature increases / decreases."

I was previously tested for this.  I was floroscoped while drinking a fluid to see if my SVT's were started by exactly this reason.  In my case, they were not.

[rar840]

I have the same 'hippity heart."  I've just noticed that drinking or eating cold things will set me into an episode.  I've been taking metoprolol for the combination of heart issues (afib, a-flutter, pvcs) that began last november.  It doesn't really work.  I was taking flecanide before and it took care of everything.  Since I'm still of child-bearing age my new cardio took me off it.  Looking for a definitive answer for what if causing all this all of a sudden, can practically pin-point the day that this started, and has happened everyday afterward.

[marshterry]

Thank you both.  Just knowing that there are those out-there that have actual, practical, empirical knowledge (experience) is a comfort.  And for the discussion, last nights episode lasted 4 hours.  I use ambien to get to sleep during a bout with "hippity heart"

Is anyone else prescribed a beta blocker for "hippity Heart"? and if so, does it work?

Also, is anyone using hydration (drink lotsa water) to mollify events?

[is_something_wrong]

Maybe I misunderstood the question :)

It seems a lot of weird stuff can happen when swallowing, the brief tachy Itdood is referring to is completely correct, I've experienced it in the past, and didn't understand why.

But since you were especially referring to cold drinks, it's important to know that the heart can be affected directly (completely benign, though) and create extra beats / premature beats.

Our body and especially the autonome nerve system have several strange reactions. Some people can faint just because their tie is a bit tight, affecting centres on the neck, causing low heart rate (the opposite reaction).

[itdood]

I've seen this type of issue come up around here from time to time so I think you're not alone.  What I've seen others come up with is that it's a "vaso vagal" response, also called the "diving reflex" due to the cold water.   Google those to find out more, the short answer is our bodies respond to being submerged into cold water with a large vaso vagal response to control your heart rate.

Also, swallowing alone causes a vagal repsonse and your heat speeds up a bit, this happens to everyone.  Add the cold water to this and trigger a diving reflex on top of it is probably what sets it off.  For some reason you are responding to the extreme with it.  Just a theory though, I've never seen it given as an official medical diagnosis.  Still get checked out.

[is_something_wrong]

The left atrium (upper chamber) is located next to esophagus, and is often affected by it, and PACs are easily triggered by drinking and eating, both mechanical and caused by temperature increases / decreases.