Heart Palpitations and Acid Reflux: Understanding the Connection
Feeling your heart race unexpectedly can be unsettling. Feeling your heart race unexpectedly can be unsettling, especially when the cause isn’t clear. Surprisingly, acid reflux and heart rhythm disturbances may have a closer connection than most realize. While GERD mainly affects digestion, it can also trigger symptoms that feel heart-related. Understanding this link can help ease concerns and guide effective management.
What Happens During Acid Reflux?
The stomach releases acid to break down food, but sometimes this acid escapes into the esophagus, leading to irritation. This burning discomfort, commonly known as heartburn, can feel misleading since it has nothing to do with the heart.
Acid reflux occurs occasionally in many people, but frequent episodes could indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This condition requires proper management to prevent complications.
How GERD Develops
Several factors contribute to acid reflux, including:
- Weakening of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which acts as a barrier between the stomach and esophagus
- Overeating or consuming acidic, spicy, or fatty foods
- Lying down too soon after eating
- Obesity, alcohol consumption, or smoking
GERD symptoms typically worsen after meals when stomach acid production increases.
Can Acid Reflux Cause Heart Palpitations?
The esophagus and heart share a connection through the vagus nerve. This nerve helps regulate heart rate, digestion, and breathing. When acid reflux irritates the esophagus, the vagus nerve can send mixed signals to the heart, potentially causing an irregular rhythm.
This phenomenon, sometimes called gastro-cardiac syndrome, explains why GERD symptoms may be linked to sensations of fluttering or a racing heart.
Reflux and Its Effect on the Heart
Aside from the vagus nerve, some studies suggest up to 14% of GERD patients experience atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common type of irregular heartbeat. That number is much higher than the 1% to 2% prevalence in the general population. Acid irritation in the esophagus may trigger heart rhythm changes, especially in those with pre-existing conditions.
A sizable hiatal hernia, where part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm, can sometimes press against the heart and disrupt its rhythm.
Does Acid Reflux Cause High Heart Rate?
Palpitations feel like the heart is fluttering, skipping beats, or pounding harder than usual. A fast heart rate, or tachycardia, is when the heart beats over 100 times per minute. While these symptoms can feel similar, they are not always the same.
Acid reflux doesn’t directly cause an increased heart rate, but the discomfort it creates can trigger stress and anxiety, leading to temporary tachycardia.
Why Symptoms May Overlap
GERD-related discomfort can mimic heart issues. Many people experiencing acid reflux worry about heart attacks, as both conditions can cause chest pain. This fear can raise stress levels, increasing heart rate further.
While GERD symptoms alone usually do not cause a dangerously high heart rate, frequent palpitations should always be evaluated by a doctor to rule out underlying heart conditions.
What Else Causes Heart Palpitations?
Several factors besides acid reflux can contribute to heart palpitations, including:
- Caffeine and alcohol: These stimulants can speed up the heart
- Anxiety and stress: Emotional distress can trigger palpitations
- Dehydration: Low fluid levels affect heart function
- Low blood sugar: Can make the heart work harder
- Medications: Decongestants and stimulants may cause heart rhythm changes
Because acid reflux can sometimes trigger anxiety, symptoms may overlap with other common causes of palpitations.
Heart Arrhythmias
Not all palpitations are harmless. Arrhythmias—abnormal heart rhythms—can cause prolonged palpitations and require medical attention. Diagnosing an arrhythmia typically involves an electrocardiogram (ECG) or a Holter monitor, which tracks heart activity over time.
How to Manage GERD-Related Heart Palpitations
Lifestyle Changes
Managing GERD effectively may help reduce palpitations and fast heart rate. Some helpful strategies include:
- Eating smaller meals: Large meals increase stomach acid production
- Avoiding trigger foods: Spicy, fatty, or acidic foods can worsen reflux
- Staying upright after eating: Lying down too soon can allow acid to reflux
- Limiting caffeine and alcohol: Both can affect stomach acid and heart rate
Medications That Help
Over-the-counter antacids, H2 blockers, and proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can reduce acid production. Some patients report fewer heart rhythm disturbances after starting GERD treatment. In severe cases, surgery may be needed to strengthen the LES and prevent acid reflux.
When to See a Doctor
Even though GERD can cause chest discomfort and palpitations, it’s important not to dismiss potential heart problems. Seek medical attention if you experience:
- Chest pain that spreads to the arms, neck, or jaw
- Severe dizziness or fainting
- Shortness of breath with palpitations
- Irregular heartbeats lasting several minutes
Doctors may order tests like ECGs, echocardiograms, or stress tests to rule out heart disease. Since GERD and heart issues can feel similar, getting a proper diagnosis is crucial.
Finding Relief and Protecting Your Heart
Acid reflux can be more than just a digestive issue—it can create sensations that feel heart-related, leading to anxiety and discomfort. While GERD itself doesn’t directly cause a fast heart rate, the irritation it triggers can influence heart rhythm through nerve connections and stress responses.
Understanding this link can help ease concerns and guide better symptom management. If you frequently experience palpitations alongside acid reflux, addressing may provide relief. However, persistent or severe heart-related symptoms should never be ignored. Seeking medical evaluation ensures that what feels like reflux is not something more serious.
