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Does Acid Reflux Cause Irregular Heart Rate?

Posted on Thu, 16 Apr 2015

Question: Lately I've been noticing my heart rate is irregular. Sometimes fast and sometimes slow. Today I was sitting on the couch an hour after dinner and my heart rate was 120 bpm. I recently had all cardiac testing done (approximately 1 and a half months ago) everything was normal and only showed rare pacs and 15 pvcs. I have episodes where my heart will be beating quickly, 100 bpm and then I will get 3 or 4 slower beats and then it will speed up again. My pacs and pvcs were single and unifocal and cardiologist says they are benign. Can my acid reflux or anxiety be causing this? My ech and stress test were also normal

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Acid reflux can be the cause or can aggravate palpitation&tachycardia.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

Acid reflux can be the cause or can aggravate palpitations. Moreover acid reflux and palpitation increase your anxiety and there's a vicious circle. As long as all cardiac examinations are normal and you had only few PACs and PVCs you have nothing to worry. The only problems you may experience are tachycardia and palpitations that are harmless for your health.

My advice is to stay relaxed and to treat properly acid reflux and anxiety.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (25 minutes later)

Doctor just one other question is an irregular heartbeat common in healthy people. I noticed that it is not always the same pace. I'll have some beats then a few faster than back to normal. Is that common?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back Franck!

What you are describing is a typical PVCs that is perceived as a fast heart beat followed by two thre slow beats.

This is a common findings and you shouldn't worry about it.

Wish you health!
Dr.Benard

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (3 hours later)

Hi Doctor

I was afraid these short bursts of quick beats was VT or afib or even svt. Is that possible. I feel like I am too sensitive to every sensation of my heart.

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back Franck!

You shouldn't worry about atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia they never happen in normal heart and they should be caught on ecg and holter monitoring.

You are overreacting about your heart and my advice is to stay calm and continue with CBT therapy to control anxiety and stress.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (54 minutes later)

Thank you for the answer doctor. I know I am over concerned and have asked you a lot of questions. It just seems so strange to me that even when I am just sitting down or standing up my heart rate changes frequently. They don't feel like pvc or pac. Sometimes I am just checking my pulse and notice it. I will have my heart beat around 65 bpm then I will get a few beats which are more forceful and slower . It is like those beats feel like my heart is struggling to beat. Maybe that explains it better. I am so afraid my heart will stop. Did my cardiologist miss something?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (49 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I advice to take a home heart ecg monitor...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back Franck!

My opinion is that you are overreacting about palpitations. Since you are afraid that your doctor missed something I suggest to take a home heart ECG monitor (for example omron HCG 801). These will help you to monitor your heart rate and rhythm every time you don't feel well and may be of help in relieving your anxiety.

Moreover you may ask for a second opinion from a different doctor. He may visit you and check all your examinations. These may be of help in reliving your concerns.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (13 minutes later)

Hi Doctor I think you are right. My anxiety is what is fueling these concerns. I did get a second opinion 2 months ago. This is the second cardiologist and he said the same thing. Benign pacs and pvcs and I should start exercising. Do you agree?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Following answer to your query.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back!

Yes I totally agree with that you should start exercising. My advice is to start with walking and continue with running every day.

Exercise is of help in relieving stress, anxiety and arrhythmia.

Wish you health!
Dr.Shehu

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar