Heart palpitations after eating can be caused by digestion, blood sugar fluctuations, overeating, spicy foods, and caffeinated beverages. Eating frequent, small meals can help, while GERD and menopause can also cause palpitations. Palpitations are usually harmless, but if they persist, a doctor can perform tests to diagnose any heart problems and prescribe medication if necessary.
Heart palpitations after eating can be caused when the heart starts pumping blood to the stomach and other areas to help the digestion process. This activity can sometimes be perceived by some people as an abnormal heartbeat. Other causes include blood sugar fluctuations and its effect on the heart, overeating, and eating spicy foods. Additionally, drinking caffeinated beverages such as iced tea and coffee with meals can cause heart palpitations. When other symptoms accompany an abnormal heartbeat after eating, such as chest pain, dizziness, sweating, or shortness of breath, further evaluation by a doctor is recommended.
For some people, eating frequent, small meals throughout the day is better than eating three large meals. This routine not only keeps your blood sugar levels from going up and down, but it means your heart doesn’t have to work as hard after a meal. Additionally, people with gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) sometimes experience heart palpitations, chest pain, and pressure after eating, which can even mimic the symptoms of a heart attack. Eating too fast and swallowing air can cause pressure in the chest, leading to changes in heart rate. While this feeling can be anxiety-provoking, it is rarely serious.
Occasionally, women approaching menopause will experience palpitations after eating. This is typically related to fluctuations in the amount of progesterone and estrogen in the body, which is common during the menopausal years. Some foods, such as soy and tofu, can affect hormone levels and promote an abnormal heart rhythm. Additionally, drinking hot or cold beverages can make the heart beat rapidly if consumed too quickly.
In most cases, palpitations after eating are harmless. If a person experiences changes in their heart rhythm that last a long time or get worse over time, they should be reported to a doctor, who can determine whether they are caused by a heart problem. A healthcare professional might perform an echocardiogram, which is an ultrasound of the heart. Sound waves are used to capture images of the heart and related structures in real time. This imaging method can diagnose mitral valve prolapse, for example, where the valve doesn’t open and close properly, sometimes causing palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
The electrocardiogram can also rule out the cause of an abnormal heart rhythm by measuring the heart rate and its regularity. While this test only provides information about your heart while it’s at rest, it’s still a valuable tool for evaluating heart disorders. In cases where the palpitations become bothersome or bothersome, a doctor may prescribe beta blockers, drugs that slow the heart rate and help it beat more regularly, relieving the palpitations.
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