Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 02/13/2022. However, they can also be a symptom of an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. In some cases, it can be alarming as these palpitations occur without warning and disrupt your life routine. Heart palpitations are a sensation that your heart is beating too quickly or feels like it is fluttering. { They may occur if you have food allergies or sensitivities. It is also possible that those palpitations are due to an underlying medical condition. It can be due to anything from something you are eating to the way you are eating it. Instead, you should pay attention to when youre experiencing palpitations and avoid activities, foods, or anything else that brings them on. If necessary, your doctor may refer you to a cardiologist for more tests or treatment. Also, a diet low in carbohydrates could increase the risk of the condition as well. If your heart often races after eating, see your healthcare provider for an exam. This includes the tissues of your circulatory system and heart muscle. A person with heart palpitations may feel like their heart is racing, fluttering, or skipping a beat. Its normal to feel this sensation during times of stress or physical exercise. 1-ranked heart program in the United States. Strategies may include: Ease anxiety and stress. In this article, we detail why you may get heart palpitations after eating, what you can do to treat them, and when to see a doctor. When people have palpitations, they may feel as though their heart is doing one or more of the following: If palpitations rarely occur, a person may not need a medical exam, but if they happen more frequently or worsen, they should talk with a doctor, advises the NHLBI. Your heart palpitations after eating might be benign and may be improved by some healthy lifestyle habits. Palpitations usually go away after delivery. You can be sensitive or allergic to foods containing MSG, but not to MSG itself. Cleveland Clinic: OTC Allergy and Cold Medication; June 28, 2017. "target":"https:\/\/flo.health\//search?q={search_term_string}", This condition can result in heart palpitations. Monitoring your blood sugar at regular intervals and following a diabetic-friendly diet can help reduce heart palpitations after eating. } } Alcohol can also cause heart palpitations. Consumption of Caffeinated Products and Cardiac Ectopy. Rights Reserved. Can diet help improve depression symptoms? If theres no underlying cause, lifestyle changes can help, including stress management. The authors of the review note there are increasing reports linking energy drinks with arrhythmias. 2023 Healthline Media UK Ltd, Brighton, UK. You may experience heart palpitations after eating. Heart palpitations at night are typically not harmful, but sometimes they are signs of an underlying condition that should be medically treated. If you suspect you may have an imbalance, your doctor can test your urine and blood to confirm. Hawthorn berry extract is a key component of traditional Chinese medicine and has been used to help with digestive issues and high blood pressure. Heart palpitations occur when the heart starts to beat faster. Caffeine and arrhythmias: Time to grind the data. Heres a look at the symptoms and treatment options. If your doctor finds a reason for your palpitations, they will focus on treating that reason. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week, or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity weekly. These are antiarrhythmic drugs. No matter whats causing your palpitations, many treatments are available to help keep your heart rate and rhythm in check. Causes of heart palpitations Heart palpitations are common and not usually a sign of anything serious. Keeping your general stress levels low can help you avoid episodes of fast heartbeat and lower your resting heart rate over time. Why Do I Have Heart Palpitations at Night? Research from 2020 reports that many widely used medications may cause or worsen an array of arrhythmias. All rights reserved. Have a look on youtube for how to do the Sway Test. Many factors, including alcohol, caffeine, nicotine, stress or hormones can cause them. Subjects noticed a reduction in heart palpitations (atrial fibrillation) once they were given a proton pump inhibitor to treat their gastroesophageal reflux disease. "url":"https:\/\/flo.health\/", Heart palpitations that occur after eating can be uncomfortable and cause unpleasant sensations. (2018). Some medical conditions and symptoms that are associated with an irregular heartbeat are: Postural tachycardia syndrome (PoTS) is an abnormal increase in heart rate that happens right after you sit down or stand up, which can cause dizziness, fainting and heart palpitations. Managing your stress through relaxation can help. Make sure to note: To lower your risk of heart palpitations: Depending on the trigger, you may be able to change your diet to avoid heart palpitations after eating. Some simple and effective treatment options for heart palpitations include: The important part to treating heart palpitations is knowing the underlying cause and managing that. Experiencing a pounding heart after eating a meal can feel uncomfortable. Most cases of heart palpitations are not considered serious unless you have underlying heart disease. Eliminating these things from your daily routine may lessen or even stop your symptoms. Heart palpitations: What causes the heart to skip a beat? } If your palpitations continue to occur right after eating, chances are they are associated with your diet. Ventricular tachycardia is a very fast heart rhythm that begins in the ventricles. Can heart palpitations be prevented or stopped? Anxiety, stress, fear, or panic can cause palpitations. If palpitations happen from time to time, they arent usually dangerous. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4884607/, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6166148/, ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.115.002503, niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/preventing-problems/low-blood-glucose-hypoglycemia, heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/about-heart-attacks/silent-ischemia-and-ischemic-heart-disease, sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735109716364695?via%3Dihub, sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405500X18300756, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7679833/, When to Seek Treatment for Heart Palpitations. Palpitations make you feel like your heart is beating too hard or too fast, skipping a beat, or fluttering. Heart palpitations and ectopic beats. The products released by Bel Marra Health. Cleveland Clinic: Heart Health; May 3, 2016. However, you might need medication if there is an underlying medical condition. Foods that may cause heart palpitations include: Certain ingredients in food may also trigger heart palpitations: Taking dietary supplements with meals can sometimes lead to heart palpitations. Sometimes the palpitations are caused by things that make your heart work harder, like: Keep reading to learn 10 ways you can manage heart palpitations at home, when you should see your doctor, and tips for a healthy heart. In many cases of heart palpitations, no treatment is necessary. See additional information. This can be due to a variety of factors, from the contents of your last meal to dietary supplements you may be taking. Always call a doctor if palpitations change in nature or increase suddenly. If your doctor doesn't find a cause, they may advise you to avoid the things that might trigger the palpitations. Well explain exactly whats going on in your body and give you some information on how to cope with an increased heart rate after eating. ", Persistent or frequently occurring heart palpitations could be a warning sign of some underlying medical condition. Palpitations can occur due to the act of swallowing. Silent ischemia and ischemic heart disease. Other lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, can also help. You must start paying attention to what you are eating, how you are eating, and the quantity in which you are consuming to find the culprit. Make sure to check in with your doctor. If treatment is necessary, medications and other interventions depend on the underlying cause. We avoid using tertiary references. You should note down all the details in your food diary, including: Keeping a record of your diet can help identify a connection between specific foods and their effect on your heart rate. Br Heart J 1987; DOI: 10.1136/hrt.57.2.205. MNT is the registered trade mark of Healthline Media. Diet and lifestyle changes, such as eating right and reducing stress, can help most pregnant people manage heart palpitations. Likewise, an extra cup of coffee or a caffeine-packed energy drink may get your heart racing and your head buzzing a little . Keeping a food diary can help to identify potential items in your diet that may be triggering palpitations. Some people feel palpitations as a pounding in the chest or neck; others feel them as a general sense of unease. There may be concerns about quality, mislabeling, or contamination. Providers used to think that caffeine led to heart palpitations. "image" : "https://flo.health/uploads/media/sulu-1230x-inset/04/4454-A%20woman%20having%20heart%20palpitations%20after%20eating.jpg?v=1-0", The best way to do this is to keep a food diary and write down everything you eat and drink, noting any symptoms you have after each meal. But recent research suggests that, in moderation (up to three cups a day), caffeine may actually have heart benefits. Home Heart Health Heart palpitations after eating and when lying down. It is worth noting that this is not a common occurrence, however. If you notice a pulse in your stomach after eating, it's likely due to increased blood being pumped through your abdominal aorta. If your doctor identifies a cause of your palpitations, they may recommend treatment. They call these tips Lifes Simple 7., Last medically reviewed on November 5, 2021. Caffeine is in many popular foods and drinks, such as: However, research into the link between caffeine consumption and palpitations has provided mixed results. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. High sodium foods contain large amounts of salt. About 20 percent of people who get headaches say that food is a trigger . Heart palpitations and ectopic beats. Exercise can make you prone to having heart palpitations. In some cases, these allergies can lead to an increase in heart rate. These symptoms include: Nausea or dizziness Mild fatigue or severe exhaustion Chest pain Tightness and soreness in the chest Yawning excessively Sweating and restlessness Abdominal discomfort and stomach palpitations If you are concerned about your symptoms and want a professional opinion, consult a heart doctor. They can be bothersome or frightening. It provides detailed information about its structure and function. The palpitations that occur after eating may also be related to blood sugar, as others have told you. Most of the time, heart palpitations after eating arent harmful. For example, if your diagnostic tests uncover that you have heart disease, your doctor will move forward with a treatment plan in that area. Voskoboinik A, et al. Some medications and nutritional supplements may also cause the condition, so a person should inform their doctor about everything they take. It has an effect on the vagal nerve that can trigger heart palpitations, especially in people with a condition called paroxysmal atrial fibrillation. All At your appointment, your doctor will likely: It may be difficult to find the cause of your palpitations. Dixit S, Stein PK, Dewland TA, Dukes JW, et al. "logo": { You may have to steer clear of: If lifestyle changes dont help, you may be prescribed medications. "@type": "Organization", "https://flo.health/health-articles/diseases/heart-conditions/heart-palpitations-after-eating" "When you eat, the body increases blood flow to the digestive system, which can lead to an increase in heart rate," says Dr. Allison Zielinski, a cardiologist and co-director of the sports cardiology program at Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute in Chicago.. Or you may feel your heart beating in your throat, neck or chest. Learn. Leave a stressful situation and try to be calm. You can also lower your risk by maintaining a healthy weight and reducing . Dixit S, et al. If you are a heavy drinker and experience palpitations, reduce your alcohol intake, and it may improve your condition. If someone has recurring palpitations without any accompanying symptoms, they should make an appointment with their doctor. Regardless of which specific food triggers the physical symptoms of a food allergy, heart palpitations are common during an allergic reaction.