Can GERD Cause Heart Palpitations? Causes and Treatments

Can acid reflux cause heart palpitations?

Heart palpitations are related to the heart, whereas reflux disease falls under the digestive category. Some people connect the two since the stomach is located near the heart. 

Is there any scientific evidence to back this idea?

What are acid reflux and heart palpitations?

When your heart’s electrical rhythm goes off track, and you notice it, that’s called a heart palpitation (1, 2). You may feel your heart beating (3):

• very fast or racing
• with skipped or extra beats (called ectopic beats)
• strongly or forcefully, like pounding or thumping
• like it’s fluttering

These heart flutters are usually harmless, but getting help is better if you encounter them multiple times a day (1, 3).

Suppose you also experience dizziness, excessive fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pains, and palpitations; you should seriously consider seeking urgent medical attention (3, 4).

How about acid reflux? It occurs when the contents of your stomach flow back into your esophagus. It’s common and sometimes goes unnoticed without symptoms (5).

There’s a gate between your esophagus and stomach. It is called the lower esophageal sphincter (LES). Typically, the ‘gate’ closes once your food goes through. But if it doesn’t fully close, acid from your stomach can leak into your esophagus. That’s why acid reflux is also called (5, 6): 

• gastroesophageal reflux (GER)
• acid regurgitation
• acid indigestion
• reflux

If you find yourself stuck in a loop of discomfort from GER, you may have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This chronic disease affects about 20% of people in the US. The actual number could be even higher as getting over-the-counter (without a prescription) medication is quite easy, so many may not report to their doctor (5, 7).

The GERD symptoms can vary (7, 8, 9):

• Regurgitation: when the food contents and stomach acid come back up into your throat or mouth
• Heartburn: a painful, burning feeling in the middle of your chest, behind your breastbone, rising from the lower tip of your breastbone toward your throat
• Chronic cough, hoarseness, sore throat, and asthma
• Difficulty swallowing or pain while swallowing
• Loss of appetite and burping
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain in the upper belly

If you believe you have GERD or those medications you can buy over the counter, don’t relieve your symptoms, seek professional advice from a doctor (8).

Sometimes, people with GERD might notice their heart rate acting up. 

In 1913, doctor Ludwig von Roemheld coined the new term ‘gastrocardiac syndrome.’ He believed the stomach problems could meddle with the heart. However, modern cardiology doesn’t fully agree with that theory. They just use the term to describe reflux heartburn, which feels like chest pain (10).

The jury’s still out on whether acid reflux can cause heart palpitations or if they are just a coincidence. However, some evidence suggests that acid reflux is associated with an increased risk of atrial fibrillation, which can present as palpitations (11). Still, a few theories are floating around that could explain this connection.

Similar risk factors

Acid reflux and heart palpitations could be connected because they can worsen due to similar factors (3, 6, 7, 8, 11):

• Getting older
• Being overweight or obese
• Drinking alcohol
• Having caffeine
• Overeat or having a heavy meal
• Smoking or breathing in secondhand smoke
• Feeling stressed or anxious

0.62%‒14% of the patients with GERD also have atrial fibrillation (AF or AFib), a type of irregular heartbeat with palpitations as a symptom (11, 12). Those with GERD are also 39% more likely to come across AF than those without (11, 13).

Inflammation and blood flow

Some scientists suggest the link with inflammation. Acid reflux might set off the release of inflammation mediators. That may trigger inflammation inside the heart’s atria (11).

Furthermore, acid reflux might reduce blood flow to the heart in people with coronary artery disease (14). It starves their atria of oxygen for a while, which could trigger atrial fibrillation (11).

Heartburn, a symptom of acid reflux, may also have a hidden impact on your blood pressure. High blood pressure is closely connected to heart disease (15). 

The vagus nerve

The vagus nerve is a part of our nervous system. This nerve runs from the brainstem down to the abdomen and helps keep our body functioning properly (11, 16). 

Acid reflux in the esophagus can overstimulate the vagus nerve (11). This stimulation may affect your heart rate (16, 17). However, the exact mechanism behind this relationship has yet to be determined.

Stress and anxiety 

Anxiety is a potential bridge between digestive issues and heart palpitations. GERD can be a significant source of stress and anxiety (18). In a study of 258 patients with GERD, about 41% suffered from depression, and 34% had anxiety, which is a much higher rate than persons without GERD (19). 

Heart palpitations have also been clinically proven to go hand in hand with anxiety (20). It is because anxiety can provoke a ‘fight-or-flight’ response that affects the heartbeat (15, 21). 

Medications

Certain medications can treat one part of the body yet, also cause problems in other areas. It sounds uncommon, but taking heart medicine may affect the stomach, and taking stomach medicine may affect the heart (22).

Beta-blockers are a well-known drug type to treat heart conditions. However, metoprolol and timolol can sometimes cause heartburn (23, 24).

Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) can reduce your body’s ability to absorb nutrients (25, 26). Lack of magnesium absorption, for example, can lead to ectopic heartbeats (22, 27). 

Observational studies revealed that patients taking PPIs for a long time have an increased risk of death from heart disease, gastric atrophy (stomach shrinkage), and gastrointestinal cancers. Unfortunately, about one in 14 people in the US use or have used a PPI pill (1, 28, 29). 

Hiatal hernia

A hiatal hernia is when the top of your stomach goes up into your chest. It makes the LES weaker and the esophagus inflamed more. In turn, GERD appears more quickly (6, 8). 

Hiatal hernia can also put pressure on the heart by compressing and irritating it (11). This could lead to chest pain and a fast heartbeat.

Heartburn and palpitations—What’s going on?

Many people confuse heart palpitations with heartburn. In fact, ‘heartburn’ is an exaggerated term because it has nothing to do with the heart (1, 30).

Heartburn is a burning or squeezing feeling in the esophagus that gives your chest pain. It’s often a result of chest wall pain or reflux esophagitis—a GERD-related inflammation. Acid reflux may account for 30%‒60% of the cases of patients with chest pain (31, 32). 

This is why some people mistake heartburn for angina (chest pain caused by heart issues) and vice versa (30, 31, 33).

Heartburn pain can sometimes move up to your throat, jaw, or neck. You may also feel the bitter or acidic taste at the back of your throat (1). This esophagus flutter tends to strike after a big feast or when you lie down (7, 30).

Usually, heartburn sticks around for a while, ranging from a few minutes to hours. It can go away by itself or with the aid of antacids. Regular palpitations may last for minutes (3, 33).

Even though the symptoms might seem alike, they’re driven by different causes. It could be a sign of GERD if you suffer from heartburn more than twice a week. Yet when you have recurrent palpitations, it might point towards a heart condition (3, 34).

When you doubt whether it’s heartburn or something more serious, you should get medical assistance immediately (30).

Can gas cause heart palpitations?

No solid proof or widely accepted medical consensus confirms heart palpitations are caused by gas in your belly. However, don’t be surprised if both of them occur at the same time. 

It is possible that a third factor causes both symptoms. 

Gas and acid reflux

Flatulence, or gas, refers to trapped gas in your digestive tract. It is often explained by swallowing too much air or eating hard-to-digest foods (35). 

In some cases, excessive gas in your digestive system can contribute to bloating, burping (or belching), and feelings of fullness (35). They can be mistaken for or accompany the symptoms of acid reflux or heartburn.

While gas can contribute to the discomfort associated with GERD, it is not the primary cause. The underlying cause of GERD is often the malfunctioning of your sphincter (6).

On the flip side, can GERD bring on more gas? Not really, because gas isn’t counted as one of the direct symptoms of acid reflux (8). 

Heart palpitations and burping—What do they mean?

Burping is the sound you make when air escapes your stomach through your mouth. When you swallow food or drink, you also swallow some air. If too much air builds up in your stomach, you can burp to eliminate it (36).

Therefore, burping is a mechanism to alleviate the discomfort associated with trapped gas. Most of us burp around 30 times daily, and the number increases in those with acid reflux or indigestion (37, 38, 39). 

Belching does not directly affect regulating heart rhythm or correcting any underlying heart condition. However, in some cases, it can temporarily relieve discomfort or pressure in the chest. What may it imply?

In fact, the sensation of ‘heart palpitations relieved by burping’ can temporarily relieve heartburn (40). 

As heartburn and palpitations are often confused, some even think about gas-causing heart palpitations. But there’s no scientific proof or official term for that.

Can indigestion cause rapid heart rate?

Indigestion, or dyspepsia, is a common digestive disorder that can cause pain in your upper belly, unpleasant fullness, nausea, bloating, and burping (41, 42).

If you have indigestion, you may not need to see a doctor. There are many home remedies for it. Yet bleeding, difficulty swallowing, or unintentionally losing weight can be signs you should see your doctor (37, 41).

Indigestion can sometimes be triggered by what you eat or how stressed you are (41). In some cases, these factors can fasten your heartbeat. But let’s get one thing straight—indigestion itself isn’t the direct cause of that rapid heart rate.

What is the treatment for heart palpitation related to gas?

The debate on whether there’s a connection between air trapped in the esophagus and palpitations is still ongoing.

Regardless of the link, finding ways to soothe your discomfort matters. Tackling that gas and acid reflux problem might be the key. Let’s check out a few ways to get that relief!

What to lose?

If you’re carrying some extra pounds, it might be worth considering dropping a few, as being overweight or obese is a significant GERD risk factor (42)

Smoking can bring on both gas and acid reflux, so it’s a definite no-go (42, 43). 

Let’s not forget about alcohol and those caffeinated drinks. They can stir up some GERD and indigestion trouble, so watch your intake (42, 44).

Eating for wellness

Cut down on foods that may set off any stomach troubles (6, 37, 45, 46):

• Spicy or rich, fatty foods: Can exacerbate indigestion, gas, and GERD.
• Tea, coffee, or even cola: They are common sources of caffeine.
• Tomatoes, citrus fruits, peppermint, spearmint, and chocolate: May bring on heartburn.
• Chewing gum, hard candy, or fizzy drinks: They are common culprits of excess gas. 
• Gas-producing veggies: They are cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, and kale) or legumes (beans, peas, and lentils). 
• Some dairy products: Milk, ice cream, and yogurt can sometimes lead to a bloated and gassy feeling. 
• Whole grains and sugar: They can upsurge the gas production in your gut. 
• Sugar-free products containing sweeteners ending in ‘-ol’: Examples are sorbitol, mannitol, xylitol, erythritol, and maltitol. You may notice a gas boost after eating these.

Why are some healthy foods like kale or tomatoes also on the list? They might cause gas or acid reflux for those with specific conditions, but not everyone. Thus, talking to your doctor about your safe-to-eat list is always the best.

Eating with intention

It’s not only the gaseous foods that can make you gassy. The way you eat also matters. Here are some eating tips to support better digestion (6, 30, 41, 45, 47):

• Sit down to eat instead of eating on the run
• Eat smaller, more frequent meals
• Avoid using a straw
• Chew food thoroughly 
• Avoid talking (especially arguments) while eating or drinking
• Avoid bending over, excitement, or exercising just after eating
• Avoid eating within 3 to 4 hours of bedtime. If you have eaten a lot or are still digesting food, wait until you feel better before sleeping.

Sleeping soundly

Getting quality sleep is the key to feeling your best. Lack of sleep can trigger heart palpitations (3).

Here are some tips to keep those esophagus flutter away (6, 7, 37): 

• Avoid eating for at least 3‒4 hours before going to bed.
• Sleep with your head elevated about 6 inches (15 centimeters). You can use a wedge-shaped pillow under your mattress. Avoid using too many pillows because they are less effective and can slip at night.
• Don’t wear clothes that are tight around your waist.

Managing stress

Since stress and anxiety can contribute to acid reflux and heart palpitations, weaving some stress-busting techniques into your routine is a good idea.

Take a breather and find activities that help you unwind and chill (1). Engaging in hobbies and relaxation-promoting activities can also help.

Moreover, you can try some popular techniques like deep breathing exercises, yoga, tai chi, or meditation. They’re all great options to calm your mind and body and find inner peace (6).