Tachycardia after eating a heavy meal?

[antsypants]

Please explain why I sometimes get tachycardia within a 1/2 after eating a heavy meal?  The heavy meal usually causes bloating and indigestion, then tachy.  This doesn't happen all of the time, just when the meal is particularly rich with carbohydrates and/or fat.

Thanks

[Cleveland Clinic]

thanks for the post.

There a several possible mechanisms as to why you experience the increase of the heart rate with swallowing.  Both increased heart rates and decresed heart rates have been reported with the ingestion of food and liquids.  The occurance of tachycardia from this process is rare and I would be interested to know exactly how fast you mean by tachycardia...a small increase in heart rate can be seen from the changes in blood flow as you begin to digest a meal.

If by tachycardia you mean an marked increase in heart rate, I would want to document this with holter, or personal diary of your heart rate during the episodes.  Frank tachycardia brought on by the process of swallowing has sever suggested mechanisms including parasympathetic and sympathetic changes in activity from the process of eating to mechanical stimulation of the atriaum as food passes through the oesophogus.


hope this is a start

[arthur]

great moniker...

If you had a focally-driven tachycardia, then it's quite possible that the upward change in the autonomic tone that occurs when digesting could allow the focal signalling to get through and spur on a tachy episode.  I had a similar situation with the tachy taking on the form of a brief atrial fibrillation event triggered by digestion (the focus has since been 90% removed by ablation and these types of events have ceased to occur anymore).

As the good doc here just about suggested, an event monitor could document the tachycardia and help a cardiologist diagnose the problem.

-Arthur

[pandora9048]

Hi,
   I have often experienced a higher heart rate after eating, sometimes over 100 bpm. It got to the point where I was literally afraid to eat and lost 30 pounds in about 2 and a half months.  That was a year ago.  I still get it now and then and my doctor has given me no real answer as to why this happens.  He said an increased heartrate after eating is normal.  But my heartrate doesn't just increase. it races.  Ive had echo, event monitor and stress test that were interpreted as normal, but it's still a scary feeling.
   Hope u feel better soon.
Pan

[netrox]

"This doesn't happen all of the time, just when the meal is particularly rich with carbohydrates and/or fat."

I get that a lot. I find that if I drink green tea with the high fat meal, it somehow helps minimize the increase in heart rate.

-jeff

[jdm]

My pulse will run "normal" in the 65 to 72 range prior to meals.  Within 15-20 minutes of a meal it begins to increase and reaches 100 to 110 within 30 minutes.  It stays there several hours and then gradually declines.  I take 1/4 of a 25 mg attenolol 4x a day and this tachycardia is reduced to increase to 75 to 80.  I understand that 100 pulse is "not medically dangerous". However, the up and down all day following meals drives me nuts and has resulted in severe anxiety.  When my pulse is elevated due to eating a meal that is my baseline...any normal activity such as climbing stairs starts from that level.  Therefore my heart will race with just minor exertion until the meal tach has worn off.  I am very sensitive to the attenolol and it works to reduce pulse rate following meals.  I have posted about this in the past as it began with my pulse remaining elevated for many hours following even moderate aerobic exercise.  The doctors say that I am not a candidate for ablation to correct this that my heart is just "sensitive" and the pacing is coming from my sa node.  I too lost weight and feared meals due to the constant up and down during the day.  Very ( for most people ) low doses of attenolol 15-30 minutes prior to a meal may help you.  I also see inceases in tachycardia rate if the meal is larger and contains more fat.  My doctors say that I am normal in terms of endocrine function.  It's a rare condition and the present state of diagnosis and medical science apparently cannot correct the problem.

[Feathan62]

After eating something with sugar or a heavey meal my heart pounds... sometimes more than 100 bpm. I have shortness of breath with it on occasion.  Sometimes it is so bad I can't go to sleep at night.  It is like I get an adrenaline rush that won't stop!  It lasts up to 6 hours sometimes. I have never been to the doctor for it. Should I?

[HPC]

Hello!
I have also experienced an increase in my heart rate after eating.  Sometimes it will happen when I just sitting and watching TV.  It also happens when I lay down to go to sleep or just walk up the stairs in my house.  My heart will race and it feels like I have just ran a marathon!  I've had several EKG's, worn a halter monitor, had an echocardiogram and blood work to check my thyroid.  The doctors can never find anything wrong.  They always say that I'm perfectly healthy...which I guess is good, but it's still very frustrating not knowing why it's happening.

The feeling when my heart is racing is very uncomfortable.  It makes me feel very anxious.  I'm 39 years old and have been dealing with it for over 10 years.  Anxiety can be a trigger as well.  Sometimes relaxation techniques such as slower breathing can help, but it's hard to do when your heart is racing.  Also, believe it or not, drinking lots of water can help too.  I'm not sure why, but it does (sometimes).

It is a great comfort to know that there are other people out there who are dealing with the same thing.  I thought I was the only one.

HPC

[sherma]

Hiya,

I also experience this after eating, strangely enough only after lunch and not in the evening, but I do agree with other postings that I have found that I skip lunch now, because I cant stand the pounding and racing heart.  My pulse rate will go to about 100 and I just sit down and rest until the episode passes.  I am really scared about this, and I thought (as you do) that I was the only person in the world who had this problem.  I am 40 shortly and only about 10 pounds over my ideal weight, I also smoke approx 20 a day, which i really want to pack in, but at the moment i feel in a vicious circle because quitting smoking makes you eat more.  2 years ago i had a full heart inspection and nothing was found to be abnormal (this was when I was about 7 months pregnant and found breathing very difficult and massive bouts of tachy)  

I am too scared to see the Doctor about this, even though I probably should because after reading other postings it is probably treatable.  But I have Multiple Sclerosis as well so it has made me very frightened indeed.

[bellison]

I cant believe I have come across this thread. This has been my main issue over the past 6 months and now it seems I am not the only one confusing the Docs. However I can add more weight to all the issues. Currently my main one is the rapid increase in heart rates after eating. However, initially I couldnt swallow and we looked at my espophagus. I have GERD (long term damage) so I was put on Protonix to reduce stomach acid. The lump in the throat sensation started to pass but then one day I had the most unbelievable panic attack after breakast. Heart rate was crazy and I couldnt breath right and became a real mess quickly. I am only 27 years old so it was unexpected to have heart issues. Anyway, my reasons for mentioning the GERD is becuase my GI Dr has noticed that my stomach doesnt empty correctly. Consequently I have Gastroparesis, although not as bad as it could be. This means my stomach doesnt contract and squeeze its contents through. Some people cant eat at all and a lot of people have it and their stomachs just work slower than usual. My GI doesnt understand the anxiety and heart related issues. However its definitely related to eating and defintiely arrived due to these Gastric issues I am having. However the medication he would like me to take, known as Reglan, can cause Anxiety and heart issues. This bothers me as he doesnt understand why I have these symptoms, but here, this pill that fixes the stomach may make it have those symptoms. HOW ARE THEY NOT RELATED. Maybe you all should look into this. Drinking water does help....probably as its helping the food pass through. Ive wondered about the vegal nerve being a little strange. Im not a Doc but Ive been going nuts for 6 months and could probably pass the exams to be one by now. The vegal nerve covers a lot of areas but mostly explains the anxiety in eating, heart issues and maybe even my throat issues. There is only one issue with this revelation.....nobody knows how to fix the problem....sucks!

[cottagemom]

I am happy to have found this board.  I too have been experiencing these EXACT symptoms on and off for the past 10 years and I am now 34 years old.  Symptoms would last up to 2 years to suddenly and mysteriously diminish and disappear.  I would develop bloating and reflux after meals (especially dinner) with accompanying tachycardia.  5 years ago I had it so bad that it kept me up until approx 4 am with fast heart beat, burping, and a feeling of great anxiety with feelings of doom (like an adrenaline rush feeling with sweaty palms) almost every night.  And I am NOT an anxious person or suffer from any anxiety disorders at all.  I learned through trial and error that if I ate dinner earlier and earlier in the evening or ate very little, the symptoms would sometimes be less, but even then it was somewhat unpredicable.  Water would sometimes help, but sometimes it wouldn

[Fairie]

I am currently under investigation for tachycardic episodes after eating and was hugely relieved to see so many other people having the same symptoms! I am having this on a daily basis and am eating a fraction of what I would normally eat to avoid the unpleasant and frightening episodes. These 'attacks' are often followed by diarrohea and feeling faint! Does anyone else have it affect them in this way also? I have had another lot of blood tests today. So far the Thyroid has come back normal, as have eletrolytes, but the fbc indicates low lymphocytes. In the past, I only had tachycardia on eating chocolate, now it is after practically everything. The episodes have become chronic in the last month. I would particularly like to know if anyone else has the stomach episodes with this! I should add that I am a very allergic person anyway, and have Coeliacs, which is an intolerance of gluten, wheat, and lactose intolerance too!!

[GaFella]

Finding this thread is a huge comfort! I'm a 29 y/o male who started having related symptoms over a year ago. Amazingly enough, mine also started with the feeling of having a lump in my throat. Following 2 months of having the throat issue, I had what I cannot explain any other way than having an anxiety attack. An ambulance was called to my office for the fear I was having a heart attack at the age of 28! After multiple test(Bloodwork, EKG, UpperGI, Chest X-Ray, Abdominal Sonogram), I was Dx with having GERD and a hiatal hernia. Since the lump sensation has disappeared, I have now been experiencing chronic burping as well as tachycardia(95-110BPM) daily. These symptoms have caused a panic attack now on 3 occasions. It also makes me tired by the end of the day, because its as if your working out after every meal. I just recently come to realize the tachy heart rate was mostly happening after eating as well as the duration and rate of increase being directly related to the amount of food I ingested. I serached thru WebMD and found no relations between digestion and tachycardia. I am amazed as well as relieved to find this thread. I printed it out to show my wife who has been as baffled and concerned about my condition as I have. We both feel as though I could have written all of theses posts. Amazing! I am currently keeping an hourly log of my heartrate and when I have enough data will present it to my family physycian. If anyone gets anymore info(from your physicians, ect.), please keep us informed. I will do the same. I, like yourselves, have yet to have a physician pinpoint the exact problem muchless a solution. I agree with several of the posts here however, theres DEFINETLY a relation between GI issues and tachycardia! PLEASE, keep us informed!

[esgee]

Hi,
I get episodes of tachycardia beginning within 30 to 60 minutes of meals. The heart starts racing and sometimes goes upto 120 times per min. Several times I have had tests done but nothing abnormal was detected yet the problem continues. It was som consolation to realize that I am not the only one suffering from such symptoms and there are many like me. Do not really know what to do about it.

[tachyman]

Hi,
I am a physician from turkey. I have got the same complaints for at leat 15 years. I am 36 years old and not overweight. I always fear to eat any think. But I used to eat very small amount of food. I get tachycardia and hypertension (especially diastolic HT)and I have to get rest for 1:30 hours. But I feel these kind of problem recurs after long period of fasting, I mean if I miss lunch time. And dinner is a nightmare for me. Now I had breakfast with only 2 slices of bread and cheese with 1 small couple of tea, I have increased HR winh knocking heart on my chest.

I always thought that it was just distension of my stomach and by the way of autonomic plexus just around the stomach makes sympathetic stimulation and makes heart to beat very fast and vigorous. I think this is true for me because I usually need to go toilet for cramping in my abdomen. This is the work of autonomic system. I have not found any solutin to these problem and I think there is no mechanical explanation as well. May be Some kind of B-blockers may help but do not take it by your self.

I will be happiest man on the earth if some one would find a reliable solution to these problem. If it occurs I will give you a dinner with unrestricted amount.

[tachyman]

http://www.allergycentre.com.au/id129.htm

please read these article about tachycardia induced by postparandial hypoglicemia. May help to someone.

[BK82]

I'm also happy I found this forum. I've been searching the internet for a few months now for info about this and other things. I'm a 22 year old male and I had a catheter ablation in April 03' for SVT.

About 6-7 months after the ablation I started having some problems and this was one of the major things bugging me. I told myself at first that it was just my heart recovering from the ablation but I had a few panic attacks and I went to the ER one time. I never could understand why my heart would do this after eating (it ussually beats about 110-140 after a meal depending on what I'm doing at rest its 65-85. I've been freaking myself out lately thinking that I have an Abdominal Aortic Aneuryzm due to the catheter damaging my Aorta. I started freaking out about this because I could feel my heart beating in my stomach and when I felt my stomach I could feel my pulse strongly even about 2 inches left of my midline. I dont have insurance so I haven't been able to see a doctor in about a year.

I feel bad for all you guys but its kind of reassuring knowing that other people are having the same problem and maybe its not related to the ablation I had. What I've been doing lately is eating smaller meals with little to no sugar and only healthy fats in moderate to small amounts. Alcohol with food has been the worst for me so I've eliminated that. Its interesting to me that a couple of you have GERD. Thats something I'm going to check into. Good luck you guys.

[tachyman]

http://home.att.net/~potsweb/POTS.html

some close interactiom a sample is below:

Reactive hypoglycemia is a common symptom of both POTS and CFS, and occurs through a complex series of neural and hormonal interactions which are not yet fully understood.  Researchers have discovered that people with orthostatic hypotension (low standing blood pressure) often get a drop in blood pressure after eating carbohydrate rich foods.  This may be caused by a direct vasodilation effect (increase in internal size of blood vessels) of suddenly higher blood glucose levels.  The traditional definition of hypoglycemia is an abnormal lowering of blood sugar levels after the body overreacts to carbohydrates with excessive insulin production.  Researchers now believe that this lowering of blood sugar levels is not the only cause of symptoms.  Recent studies suggest glucose aggravated aberrations of the production levels of adrenaline, norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, and lactic acid may be associated with reactive hypoglycemia.  

     Most patients with POTS have difficulty sleeping, which may result from a number of factors, including abnormally high adrenaline levels caused by increased orthostatic stress (the stress of standing).  Central sleep apnea is a common problem for people with POTS, which in some cases may be due to damage to the medulla, which controls important cardiac and respiratory functions.  Central sleep apnea causes breathing to temporarily stop while sleeping.

[hankstar]

I must say your post , information and comments have been most informative.

Best regards.

[tachyman]

not at all, I can understand the problem that people suffers from.

[hankstar]

What I meant to say actually that being sufferer yourself, you seem to have a  very thorough understanding as to what those who suffer from this is going through.

The sites you posted have provided some insight as to what might actually be the cause of some these distressing symptoms, though a true diagnosis is often hard to make, sometimes it is just a judgement call based on symptoms rather than any specific test.

Take care.

[Laddie]

Hey...

   It is very comforting to know that I am not the only one experiencing symptoms of increased heart rate after eating (especially foods such as pizza, chocolate, garlic, or foods high in oil). I am only 18 yrs old!!!!! and I am afraid of developing more serious problems of the heart as I grow older. My doctor does not know how to diagnosis these symptoms therefore I plan on seeing a specialist. Any words of advice are appreciated!!

[Duke63]

I have experienced irregular heartbeat after eating for the past 4 years or so.  The problem comes and goes, sometimes not bothering me for several months.  After eating, sometimes I will get what I believe is a complete cramp of my stomach and I am not able to even walk withhout assistance.  I can not perform even the slightest task (slicing a piece if cheese) without extreme discompfort.  At that time my heartbeat may or may not be affected.  If affected, the heartbeat is very irregular, missing beats as well as adding beats, sometimes dropping to as low as 30 beats/min.  I have had all the tests, blood, heart, neurogical, mental and so on with no problems in any area (except possibally the mental area, as a few close friends would say). Nothing shows.  I am not on any meds.  A few things I have found out.  Do not eat grapes or raisens or any thing made from them.  Certain fish  or fish products also set it off.  Eating pasta, bread, rolls, doughnuts, pastry, toast or anything like that in the morning is a never never do!  I eat protein in the morning, snack lightly through the day and a light meal of anything I want in the evening.  I have been in emergency 9 times in the past 4 years with nothing found.  I have had irregular heartbeat for 30 years without any problems caused by it.  I am, as I understand, one of many people who can feel their every heart beat and irregular heartbeat (arythmia) runs in my family.

[shaolinx]

My anxiety level just dropped through the floor now that I know Im not the only person on the planet with this condition. I am a firm believer in chiropractic care, my chiropractor has been helping me control this condition for about 3 months since it has surfaced. It is mainly caused by the agitation of the vegal nerve, accompanied by overeating and poor diet. Adjustments of the spine about 95% of the time completely cure the problem for a few days to a few weeks, which has helped me get passed the "Im having a heart attack" anxiety that really can make it worse. I too went to medical doctors and ran the tests only to be told I was in pefect health, and that my problem was a mystery. The best way to control this is diet, drink lots of water, and get chiropractic care-its the only way to take care of your nervous system. At least this works for me.

[Chiefzig]

In October 04 I noticed about 20 minutes after I ate my heart felt funny, like it was miss beating. I went to my cardiologist and received a 24hr monitor. They lost the data on me. This went away. Now after 2 months its happening again. My wife (a nurse) listened to my chest during this event today and said my heart beat was normal but seemed to speed up a little then go back down. This stops immediatly when I stand-up. After about an hour passes the events stop. Whats this all about? I also forgot to say I have had benign PVC's for about 6 years.