GERD & Heartburn Support Group

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. If you are afflicted with GERD or heartburn, join the group and find support.

1,131 Members

1,903 Posts

0 Online

Catlovers141 07/08/2012

Hi everyone. :)

Has anyone experienced rapid or pounding heart beat after eating? Mine usually happens after I eat chocolate (or maybe other sugars too). I have seen only a few people who have had this, and a lot of people have not which is worrying me that it might not be GERD. I had an ECG and a chest x-ray as well as blood work. The x-ray and ECG were fine. The blood test showed that I was experiencing malnutrition, but I have started eating better since then. That was a week and a half ago.

I have bulimia and I know that this is what caused it. I feel horrible about myself for destroying my body, but that is another post altogether.

deleted_user 07/10/2012

Yes, this is a BIG one for me too after eating a meal (especially spicy foods). Burning followed by palpitations, skipped beats, fast beats, etc.

deleted_user 07/10/2012

Do you think maybe you might be having an anxiety or panic attack after you eat because you are nervous about how the food will make you feel after you have eaten it?

Just a thought.

gramybear 07/10/2012

stefresh just may be right because I get those feelings too and have always wondered what was going on. If you have had your heart checked out and everything is okay there, then it has to be the food causing those feelings, I would think.

deleted_user 07/11/2012

There's no physiological reason that sugar would cause a pounding heartbeat after eating. The cardiologist would probably tell you that it's the caffiene in the chocolate! I have noted on many occasions that chocolate disrupts my sleep. I also have a pounding/rapid heartbeat at times that seems random and completely unrelated to eating. I've noted problems in other body systems under the control of the autonomic nervous system. It has been a very long time since I have updated my status with GERD because I have it fairly well under control. I will post my current diet and treatment plan in an appropriate place.

amelah 07/16/2012

I'm surprised the Dr didn't tell you a basic fact:

The reason it increases is because the body is working to digest the food you just ate and transfer it to energy. The blood is rushing to your stomach and other organs needed to digest your food and your heart must therefore pump faster.

lilacs22 10/10/2012

I do not have an eating disorder but I too experience a rapid heartbeat at times after eating. Sometimes it can last a couple hours, other times it goes back to normal in a half hour. It is sporadic and doesn't seem to be connected to specific foods.

gramybear 10/14/2012

I have the same problem and it's so annoying, as well as scary. I hope
you get some answers that make sense.

deleted_user 02/10/2013

Anyone who experiences heartbeat irregularity and senses that it is related to diet MUST be suspicious of chocolate. Not necessarily the caffeine, but a component called Theobromine. Many of us are intolerant - our livers just cannot process this substance and it causes a form of poisoning that is characterized by a destabilized heart rate. Chocolate can and does kill dogs, horses, and most other mammals, by the same action. I learned this the hard way, and then avoided chocolate for 20 years. Recently I foolishly decided to try it again, and ended up in the ER with my heart almost out of control. I think of chocolate as poison, and for some of us it is.

Join the Conversation