Acid reflux and heart palpitations are not directly linked, but they share many of the same causes, such as stress, obesity, poor diet, and certain medications. Patients should seek medical advice if they experience palpitations, as they could indicate a more serious health problem.
Acid reflux is a condition in which an individual frequently experiences discomfort due to stomach acid traveling up the esophagus. Some sufferers also experience heart palpitations during acid reflux episodes, leading many to wonder if palpitations and acid reflux are somehow connected. While acid reflux hasn’t been proven to cause palpitations, these conditions are caused by many of the same causes. Popular acid reflux medications may also be responsible for the connection, as many of these medications can increase your heart rate, cause chest pain, and lead to high blood pressure. It’s also possible that some patients simply confuse the symptoms that accompany acid reflux with palpitations.
One explanation for the link between the two conditions is stress. Stress is a known cause and side effect of both of these conditions. If an acid reflux sufferer is under a great deal of stress, it would not be abnormal for their emotional state to trigger heart palpitations.
Stress isn’t the only condition that can lead to both heart palpitations and acid reflux. Many of the causes of heart palpitations and acid reflux are very similar. Both conditions are often caused by obesity, lack of exercise, and poor diet. People who consume large amounts of alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco products are also more likely to suffer from these conditions. While one condition doesn’t actually cause the other, an individual experiencing acid reflux or heart palpitations may be at a higher risk of developing the additional condition.
The use of some medications could also explain the connection between heart palpitations and acid reflux. Several commonly prescribed acid reflux medications are known to cause rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, and chest pain. These side effects can make an individual feel like their heart is racing or beating irregularly. Individuals who begin to experience heart palpitations after starting acid reflux medication should discuss this side effect with their doctor.
Because the symptoms of palpitations and acid reflux are sometimes similar, some patients may confuse one condition for the other. For example, chest pain is sometimes reported in both patients with acid reflux and those experiencing heart palpitations. Acid reflux can also cause the esophagus to contract. Because of the location of the esophagus, some people may mistake this sensation for palpitations.
Individuals who believe they have palpitations should see a doctor. While heart palpitations aren’t usually serious, they can be an indication of a more serious health problem. A doctor will diagnose your condition and, if necessary, help you begin treating your palpitations. In many cases, patients are able to begin managing their palpitations by improving their diet, reducing their stress levels, and strengthening their heart through exercise.
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