Atrial Fibrillation & Stomach Gas, Digestive Tract Problems?

[delcocat]

I saw another post about atrial fibrillation and stomach gas possible association or connection.  I too have the same thing so it may not be all in your head if your suspect this to be the case.  Most dr.'s think your crazy or never heard of this when you even suggest it.  Thats whats wrong with most dr's atleast in my experience in that they don't think outside the box enough possibly because this is what they learned.  I think I/we can guess or prognose just as well or better than they can at times particularly if we know something about health and or ourselves and our own health.  Never be afraid to speak up because I feel strongly that digestive tract problems are real and translate into other real nasty symptoms like this.  Fortunately we can prevent much of this & need to prevent it from happening. I do feel the more you get afib the worse it can become either physically, emmotionally or both no matter what the cause.  I thought up until now that I may have been the first to discover this but would like to know if anyone else has any real answers to this as being a connection?  I would like to know how many people feel that they get atrial fibrillation and feel that it may be related to gas or full, bloated stomach, intestinal or digestive tract troubles etc?  Isn't it possible
that the gas, bloat, perhaps inflamed digestive or intestinal tract can disturb the vagus nerve thereby possibly causing
you to go into an afib attack?  Any real dr's out there any more with some real info about this?  Even conjecture?
Any way I also would be interested in what anyone might have to say about it and or what they may have learned from this?   If you know or even think this to be the case for you I would also like to correspond with you to trade stories and info on what you''ve learned and done. Be well.  Sincerely, Rich - delcocat at aol *******

[TCN100]

I had hiatal hernia/reflux surgery in April 2012, called Nissan Fundoloplication. It was done by renouned miami (fl) sugeon who uses a 'bio-mesh' to wrap the stomach. I did because of continuing to burp up just about everything I ate, which is basically because  of a defective LES valve, which is located right at the hatious opening (where hiatal hernia). Both surgeries (nissan stomach wrap/hernai repair) done laproscopically at the same time. Tough surgery, but gastric problem solved. 49 year old firefighter/extra athletic. Before surgery - reflux was getting bad with panic attacks at night, chest pain put me in ER one night, Bouts of atrial fib - especially if stomach was upset or reflux was bad. I am still rounding out my healing at 9 months - can't weightlift like I want to yet, feel tender if I stretch too far or bounce too much with running - but surgery was worth it.

[TeeJay12Apr]

I am 29 year old Indian(Asian) female . I had these palpitation first time  around 8 months back . I felt extremely bloated and my stomach would become hard as rock and the faster heartbeat would kick in. After 3-4 episodes in 8 months I thought I should see a doctor, as apart from these episodes I would be really healthy,active and had no symptoms  at all.  I had all my test done, Blood test for H pylori , ultrasound and EKG and Echo. All came out normal . But, I started to get frequent heartburn and gas .  

3 weeks backs I visited chiropractor after I got tingling in my head and pain in my neck . He took x ray of my spine and said I have rotated vertebrae in my neck and mild scoliosis in my lower back . He is working with me on my spine and thankfully I haven't had single episode of heartburn and acidity , even after eating pretty much everything( and more )  I would dare not eating before. Though I still have pain in some parts of my spine but that's all bearable so far. Also, previously I would hear my heart beat in my ear after lying on bed and after correcting my posture which came out to be poor in his analysis , I don't hear them any more. I looked in internet and have found few references of thoracic spine causing palpitations and indigestion . So, I am just keeping a watch on my condition as of now. hope it never happens to anybody and to me ever again .

[carlow54]

Hi-  I just came on to my computer as I was awakened by what felt like an A-fib attack.  However after several belches, I am wondering if it is just gas??  My pulse rate did feel irregular, but now seems o.k.  

Just wondering how you are doing today.

[Phoenix252]

amen!  Thank god a dr. finally took me off it after 5 years of hell!  Went from 60 to ninety in a year.  Taking rythmol now, still have an occasional episode that needs cardioversion.  Stress and stomach problems, sleeping on my left side, etc. also will trigger it..  I just have to keep saying, "it won't kill you, just calm down.  Sometimes just heading for the ER to be converted will emotionally convert it before I get there!  Most of it is fear, not the afib.

[BarbieDawl]

Thanks! Hope that I have...I havent has an 'episode' since the beginning of Sept. except for a skipped beat here and there. Trying hard to work on my stress and anxiety. Funny thing is I rarely feel super stressed more of a constant worrier lol. I can see how it can turn into a vicious cycle so Im hoping the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helps. It seems to be :)
Ill keep ya'll updated :)
Sharyn

[delcocat]

Glad to hear the positive report and keeping the board up to date!  Keep in mind stress may be one of the biggest factors that triggers off not only anxiety, depression, afib or other heart arythmia but can also wreak havoc on your digestive system giving way to things like H.Pylori.  Sounds like you caught that early so with some treatment, good diet, exercise and reducing stress you have a good shot at staying afib free and healthy.