Does anyone know the connection between heart flutters (PAC's) and the vagus ner!

Does anyone know the connection between heart flutters (PAC's) and the vagus nerve?

I heard that acid reflux and stomach upset can trigger the vagus nerve, causing what feels like heart spasms/flutters or PAC's. I experience these quite a lot, sometimes in runs for hours and days. Usually when I have the flutters it feels like it is triggered after a big meal, and feel like I have a lot of gas and need to burp a lot. Sometimes they happen when my stomach muscles are tense or are puttng pressure on my chest, maybe due to eating a large meal (not necessarily due to anxiety or stress, in fact, it usually happens when I am quite relaxed). Since hearing about this possible connection, I've tried taking antacids and anti-gas medications, but it hasn't worked. Has anyone experience these, and is there anything else I can try to relieve/prevent them?

3 weeks ago
Note: I have had EKG's, echocardiograms and also wore a holter monitor. The echocardiogram was fairly normal, and with the other tests, some showed PVC's, and some showed PAC's, but never to the extent that I was actually feeling them. Every doctor I've been evaluated by says that there is nothing that they find wrong-- this is what makes me think the problem is gastrointestinal in nature.

No specific research has been done on the relationship of acid reflux (GERD) to atrial arrhythmias to my knowledge. However, there may be a pathophysiologic relationship between the two conditions relating to the activity of the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve innervates both the heart and the digestive tract so an overactive vagus nerve could conceivably precipitate both reflux and atrial arrhythmias.



Until effective reflux medications became available, treatment for severe gastroesophageal relfux was ligation of the vagus nerve and resection of the portion of the stomach that produces the most acid. Such treatment would be too drastic for your problem. . .


Non-pharmacologic measures to treat reflux consist of avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and caffeine, elevating the head of the bed 4-6 inches, and avoiding food for 3 hrs. before sleep. Stress certainly can exacerbate reflux so stress management may also help. Finally, there are powerful medictions to drastically reduce gastric acid secretions (Prilosec and Prevacid) that may also help. Better treatment of your reflux should control your atrial arrhythmias.


I hope you find this information useful.