Acid reflux and palpitations

A large meal, caffeine, alcohol, stress, poor sleep, or certain medicines can contribute to both sensations. Palpitations also have causes unrelated to digestion, so new, persistent, or troublesome episodes deserve their own assessment.

Reflux commonly feels like burning behind the breastbone, sour fluid in the throat, or discomfort after eating. Palpitations feel like fluttering, thumping, skipped beats, or a racing pulse. The sensations may overlap in the chest without sharing one cause.

Dehydration, anaemia, thyroid problems, low blood glucose, anxiety, and heart rhythm conditions can present with palpitations. A clinician may review pulse pattern, triggers, medicines, associated symptoms, and whether an electrocardiogram or blood tests are appropriate.

During a stable episode, note when it began, what you were doing, whether the beat felt regular, and any dizziness, breathlessness, chest pain, or reflux. If you can do so calmly, count your pulse and record the reading without delaying help for severe symptoms.

Reduce personal triggers such as excess caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, large late meals, and dehydration. Review decongestants, inhalers, supplements, and other medicines with a pharmacist rather than stopping prescribed treatment on your own.

Call emergency services if palpitations occur with severe chest pain, marked breathlessness, fainting, near-fainting, confusion, or collapse. Seek urgent assessment when a rapid or irregular heartbeat does not settle or when you have a known heart condition and the episode is new or different.

Make a non-emergency appointment for recurring episodes, worsening frequency, reduced exercise tolerance, unexplained fatigue, or symptoms suggesting thyroid or blood problems. Reflux treatment should not be used as a substitute for evaluating the heartbeat.

Share your episode record and full medicine list. Ask whether the rhythm should be captured on a heart tracing, whether blood tests may clarify a cause, and which reflux measures are compatible with any cardiac treatment you use.