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Heart pounds after eating?

Posted by catherinet (My Page) on
Wed, Jan 17, 07 at 9:00

Hi all,
I've recently weaned off a beta blocker. I was on it for 6 years, and I realize now why I was on it (besides just controlling BP). Whenever I eat, my heart pounds and goes about 100 beats per minute. This lasts a couple hours.
Last night I made the mistake of having some milk in the evening (which can make it worse), and my heart pounded most of the night and was at about 100 beats a minute.
Anyone else have this problem after they eat? It seems to be worse with carbs and higher salt stuff, but seems to always be there.
Yes, I am overweight......but I'm trying to use the exercise bike, and it really makes me feel bad, since I seem to have such an over-reactive sympathetic system, especially off the beta blocker.


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Heart pounds after eating?

I have/had the problem. My heart rate would go to 115 from doing something as simple as eating. It turned out that my thyroid meds were too high. I think there are a lot of possible causes. I saw a cardiologist and a pulmonologist about the problem, but it was an endocrinologist who came up with the solution. The solution has a downside. I have gained 10 pounds despite exercising an hour a day and dropping my calories to 1400 a day. Obviously I need to see him again.


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RE: Heart pounds after eating?

Hi devorah,
Are you saying the endocrinologist lowered your thyroid meds? Don't I remember you saying your were diabetic too?
Are you on insulin, or diet-controlled?
I have always seemed to have diabetic-type problems, but I'm not diabetic. But I do wonder if I have an insulin problem......secreting to much when I eat?
I suppose it would be a good idea to try a really low carb diet for awhile, but that's really hard to do.
I was on Toprol for 6 years (a beta blocker), and it made me gain weight too......and have no motivation or stamina. I finally got off it......but now my heartrate is up all the time. It was wonderful at keeping my heart very quiet though!
I guess we just can't have it all!


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RE: Heart pounds after eating?

Yes, the endocrinologist drastically lowered my thyroid med. He also took away the Metformin which is what I was taking for diabetes, so now I am entirely diet controlled.

I could maybe tolerate the weight gain if it topped out somewhere, but that hasn't happened yet.

I take Micardis for high blood pressure


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RE: Heart pounds after eating?

Could this be a blood sugar issue? Sounds kinda serious.


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RE: Heart pounds after eating?

Fluid retention squishes down all those capularies, makes the heart have a work out. Cut back on sodium and use low salty foods on a big meal see what happens.


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RE: Heart pounds after eating?

Cutting carbs makes a big difference. You'll drop fluid at an unbeliveable rate. Just cut out most of the white ones to start and watch the salt. you don't have to do lo-salt diet completly. Just give it a try for a week. You'll notice a big fluid loss.


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RE: Heart pounds after eating?

Thanks everyone,
I think I'm much more salt sensitive than I thought. There's so much salt in so many things. But I'll give it a try. And I've been cutting back on carbs too, since that's such an easy thing to do. (NOT!) hahaha The times that I have gone a lower carb diet, it was amazing how much water I lost!
I can't believe how much salt is in restaurant food.
Thanks for your suggestions!


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RE: Heart pounds after eating?

Hi all I had the same problem after eating and noticed it more with milk.

Thank you posting guys made me feel more relaxed


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RE: Heart pounds after eating?

I have these symptoms and it is because of blood sugar. After (or during) eating when my level is low my heart starts to pound and I start to shake. It is just the sugar levels starting to rise.


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