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Seems am definitely not alone ..

Posted , 9 users are following.

Abuabu
Abuabu

massively interesting thread discussing relationship between Hiatul Hernias and heart palpitations. Diagnosed with a HH some 15 years ago I underwent a Nissen Fundoplication and more recently I have suffered a heart attack (unbeknown to me until scan revealed heart muscle damage) and have been stented so as you would expect I am under the care of a cardiologist. Several spells of intense pain and palpatations have seem me visit A&E on a few occasions and of course my cardiac history ensures I am pretty fully tested. Each time conclusion is that I have suffered a severe gastric spasm but little tangible comment is offered about the palpitations apart from generalisms that they could be result of me being stressed. Matters have culminated in me having a third Angiogram recently to explore the cause of my frequent extreme discomfort.

  Like many contributors if I dare to ask if the HH flare up could be triggering the palps I am told this is very unlikely. I have every respect for my cardiologist but he too resists any connection to a point where I feel I am out of court even mentioning a link. Imagine therefore how amazed I am to have found this thread and so many people with near identical stories and affected lifestyles. 

Been a challenge but I am being referred back to Gastroenterology where I am going to push for correctional surgery on the HH. Would really like to know is there anybody out there who has had this Op and if indeed the heart palps /discomfort improved/ceased? For those reading this my symptoms can include spells of severe body shakes(shivering) cold hands/feet, lump in the throat, and severe pain in sternum area radiating into right side of chest. I rarely feel things are triggered by foodstuffs but am sure certain movements can trigger an attack.e.g. Twisting my torso. I have been shy of doing much exercising worried may aggravate and therefore very interested in fact this has helped some. In an effort to self help I will try the exercises described. I do find eating smaller meals helps and whilst I did lose 16 kilos after initial surgery I am now determined to lose more. 5 ft 10in I am now 93 kgs and target getting to around 85. People may be we need to form some sort of Facebook group or similar to try and build momentum to encourage the medics to investigate this possible link much more? Not sure how you go about this as I am not overly IT smart. Any offers? 

2 likes, 23 replies

23 Replies

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  • Abuabu
    Abuabu

    Posted

    Andrea 35441..... Be good to hear from you when you have seen the cardiologist. Mine virtually dismisses the possibility of the HH and Diverticulum having any connection to the palps I get. On every level I respect him as a very competent consultant but if I invoke stories of others who appear to be having similar issues think inwardly he just concludes I am over reacting to the Internet 'tales' and making myself worse. I dare not mention the Vagus nerve Poss connection.  Interestingly tho when I am having these episodes and am looked at from a cardio viewpoint invariably my blood tests reveal the presence of Troponin. My understanding is that this enzyme shouldn't be present in your body and is only produced when the heart is under stress of some sort. I don't understand how its measured but it seems now one gets concerned unless it's above 10 and last two times for me it's been 12 and 13 initially dropping to single figures after a few hours. Have you ever had same blood test during an episode? Seems to go hand in hand with an ECG test ? 
    • andrea35441
      andrea35441 Abuabu

      Posted

      I have learned about the blood test but not had one by the doctors. Interesting to learn about the troponin. My cardio appointment is the end of March. I will keep in touch. It is very frustrating and seems that the doctors dismiss possibilities and connections. Even worse is when I question them, they get annoyed. What I wish they'd understand is that we know our bodies better than they know them, and that although they have gone through rigourous training to get their degrees, there are still so much knowledge to be learned.

      Knowledge is power so reading other's experiences can actually shed light on things.

      Hang in there!

  • cynthia89958
    cynthia89958 Abuabu

    Posted

    I've got HH gallstones and diverticula, all revealed about the same time fairly recently and on list for gallbladder removal. I'm not sure though which condition is responsible for severe digestive issues and pain etc.and Drs not really reassuring. But yes, I certainly get palpitations and dizziness among other things. And no, docs were not interested in any possible connection, they cited anxiety etc!! It seems specialists focus on their own speciality and patients are not really looked at as a whole. I am not recommending it but traditional Chinese medicine is interesting in that it does look at the whole body interaction and worth a read up on on internet, even if not going down that route. Take care
  • Abuabu
    Abuabu

    Posted

    Cynthia89958.....Again the ol 'anxiety' as a cause when so many experience the same symptoms. As you say many doctors appear blinkered and uncomfortable looking outside their specialities. You seem to have a real 'trio' so hope your issues are sorted as well as can be. Good luck 
    • ruth57068
      ruth57068 Abuabu

      Posted

      Anxiety can cause a whole lot of issues.   I've been dealing with bouts of depression for years- so I speak from experience.    Am glad that I've had a good week--- last Monday was the last time that I threw up any of my food.   Maybe I'm seeing some light at the end of the tunnel- boy!   That would be so nice!    Now- just have to get my prolapsed bladder under control, which might neccesitate a hysterectomy.    Will add that to my list of problems.
  • intranslatlon
    intranslatlon Abuabu

    Posted

    Hi Abuabu, what kind of test detected the cardiac muscle damage?
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