Feeling your heart flutter or race can be unsettling, especially when it seems to happen right after a meal or during a bout of heartburn. If you’ve ever wondered, “Can acid reflux cause heart palpitations?”, you’re not alone. Many people notice strange heart rhythms during episodes of acid reflux or GERD and worry that something more serious might be going on.
Acid reflux doesn’t typically affect the heart directly. However, your digestive system and heart rhythm are connected in important ways. This may help explain why issues with them can sometimes appear together. Here’s what you need to know about the answer to the question, “Can acid reflux cause heart palpitations?”
Acid reflux happens when stomach acid backs up into your esophagus, the tube that carries food from your mouth to your stomach. This can cause a burning feeling in your chest called heartburn.
You might notice acid reflux after:
Occasional heartburn is common. Taking antacids or sitting upright could be enough for relief. But if it happens often, it may be a condition called GERD.
GERD is gastroesophageal reflux disease. It is chronic acid reflux that happens multiple times a week. It can also cause symptoms such as:
Heart palpitations are the sensation of your heart beating in an unusual way. People describe them as:
Palpitations can come and go quickly or last a few minutes. They might happen when you’re at rest, during stress, or even after a meal. In most healthy people, occasional palpitations are harmless.
But palpitations can also be a symptom of a heart arrhythmia, a condition where the heart’s rhythm is not normal. They should be evaluated if they’re frequent, severe, or come with other symptoms like chest pain or dizziness.
Acid reflux does not usually cause palpitations directly. However, the two can be related.
People with GERD sometimes notice heart palpitations around the same time they experience reflux symptoms. This may be for several reasons.
Acid reflux and palpitations are often set off by the same things, such as:
These triggers can relax the muscle at the bottom of your esophagus, which may cause reflux. They can also stimulate your heart, resulting in palpitations. So, it might feel like the reflux is causing the heart to misfire, even though they’re both responding to the same cause.
Heartburn can be intense, and sometimes it feels like something is wrong with your heart. That anxiety can increase adrenaline, making your heart race. In this case, it’s not the acid causing palpitations but your nervous system’s activation of your fight-or-flight response.
The vagus nerve is a long nerve that connects your brain to parts of your body like the heart, stomach, and esophagus. The vagus nerve slows the heart’s resting rate and also stimulates the contractions that move food through the digestive system.
When the vagus nerve is irritated, such as by acid reflux or bloating, it can trigger symptoms in both areas. This is known as gastrocardiac syndrome or Roemheld syndrome.
It may cause a rapid or irregular heartbeat alongside digestive issues.
This doesn’t mean your heart is damaged. It just means your body’s internal wiring might be sensitive to digestive events.
Chest discomfort can be confusing, but there are some symptom differences.
Most importantly, if you’re ever unsure whether your chest pain is from reflux or your heart, seek emergency medical care immediately. Don’t assume it’s just indigestion. Your doctor may recommend an EKG, heart monitor, or imaging tests like an echocardiogram to rule out any serious heart issues.
If your palpitations seem to be linked to reflux, making changes to manage both conditions may help.
Avoiding known triggers and staying alert to how your body responds are all part of feeling better.
And if something doesn’t feel right, don’t wait. Schedule an appointment to be evaluated for acid reflux by an experienced gastroenterologist.
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