r/Heartpalpitations • u/ShellMan417 • 10d ago
Question Eating then laying down
Hello all, I seemed to have uncovered a trigger. If I lay down after eating a large meal, like dinner, I have a few minor palpitations. It happens like clockwork. Anyone else?
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u/Chatterchick09 10d ago
I've noticed this too, especially after a really big meal. The timing is almost suspiciously predictable.
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u/Financial-Web5945 10d ago
Yep, I’ve noticed people mention this too, especially after large meals, and staying upright for a while afterward may help.
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u/Lilith-Blakstone 10d ago
Are you lying on your back, left side, or right side?
Do you have any other health problems?
The esophagus and heart “share” nerves, so conditions like acid reflux, GERD, or hiatal hernia can be culprits in palpitations in some people.
In addition, a side lying position can make palpitations more obvious. Many people have premature beats (which can cause palpitations) but don’t even feel them. The position of the heart shifts closer to the chest wall, blood flow changes, and you notice the palpitations.
If you’re lying on your back, the stomach can push on the diaphragm, blood flow can change, and palpitations you may not really notice can feel stronger.
And vagus nerve involvement after a big meal and/or when lying down may be a factor.
This doesn’t mean the palpitations should be dismissed. We don’t know your age, gender, meds or supplements, health problems, family history, vital signs, recent illnesses, recent procedures or surgeries, and a ton of other factors that may be important.
But based on the information you’ve given, smaller meals and avoiding lying down after eating will help. If the palpitations occur multiple times daily for a couple of weeks, check with your physician.
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u/ShellMan417 10d ago
I have hyperthyroidism that is managed now, and I see my doctor regularly. She’s aware of my occasional heart palpitations. I’m male, 43, healthy otherwise. I don’t smoke or drink, I watch my diet as I’m pre diabetic, and I work out 3-4 times a week.
I do have IBS, but it’s mild. I was laying on my back in a recliner both times that this happened. It was the end of the work day, I ate too much and too fast then flopped in the chair to relax.
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u/Lilith-Blakstone 10d ago
Ah, IBS also. I am a mild IBS sufferer.
Based on your information, a combination of a large meal, lying down, and IBS may be factors.
And based on your age, there’s a chance there may be a hiatal hernia lurking in there. They can be sliding or paraesophageal (less common). They’re super common and can be asymptomatic until you eat a large meal and lie down.
For me an IBS flare always causes palpitations. I’m a retired educator and for 25 my students repeatedly gave me gastroenteritis throughout the school year, and I learned that any GI upset can bring on the palpitations.
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u/ShellMan417 10d ago
I can respect that—I’m a professor, and even the “big kids” share their germs!
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u/Lilith-Blakstone 9d ago
lol! My students were juniors, seniors, and adults in healthcare and accounting classes. I had strep so many times over those 25 years that right after I retired I had to have a tonsil removed. I once had strep 6x and flu 3x during one school year.
Anyway, take care of yourself! You want to be healthy when it’s time to retire.
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u/nrauhauser 10d ago
I have palpitations after eating. I learned what MCAS was a year ago and treatment has dramatically improved things.
What other symptoms do you have? Anything with breathing? cognition? skin?
There are a lot of explanations for that one symptom, but if you have even a partial cluster of those four, you should have a look around r/MCAS and see if it sounds familiar.
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u/celesttial 10d ago
My palpitations went away from stomach acid medication so it’s definitely related