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What Causes Pressing In Chest And Slow Heart Rate?

Posted on Fri, 17 Apr 2015

Question: I had an episode today where I had some pressure in my chest. I do have some reflux. I went to check my pulse while I was having this feeling and each beat felt like it was getting slower. I thought my heart was going to stop. I panicked and splashed some water in my face and my heart started beating quickly.

I had all cardiac testing done 2 months ago only showed rare pacs and pvcs. Also trace regurgitation

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing serious. Reflux esophagitis can cause such symptoms

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,

Reflux esophagitis can mimic heart attack. It also can lead to slow heart rate, by a benign reflex.
I think there is nothing to worry.
Anyway if you have same symptoms again I would advise you to refer to ER to have an ECG done and cardiac enzymes checked.

Hope I could help you

Wishing you good health

In case of further questions don't hesitate to ask

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (23 minutes later)

Hi Doctor just so I understand acid reflux could cause the chest pain and the episode of the slowing heart rate? Also my tests were normal so does that mean they are good for a few years? Is it likely for a problem to develop in a few months? Also can the trace regurgitation cause symptoms and is this concerning?

I have had the feeling of pressure before with acid. It's just this time I checked my pulse and felt the slowing heart rate

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome back

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,

Acid reflux could cause such symptoms as chest discomfort and slow pulse as a reflex.
In your age there is very low probability to develop any cardiac events in 5 years if you have all cardiac tests done recently, which were normal.
Theoretically problem can arise during a short time, but actually it is very unlikely.
Trace regurgitation is not an abnormal finding and can't cause any symptom.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (3 hours later)

Hi Doctor Thank you for your response. I'm sorry for all the questions. Lately I have been feeling more Pacs or pvcs with the acid reflux and it worries me. My doctor says it is caused by my anxiety and also acid reflux and they are benign and my heart is healthy. Is this true? Are they really harmless. He did not take the time to explain it to me.

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Your doctor is absolutely right

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,

Your doctor is absolutely right.
Even in healthy adults can be some amount of premature beats, which are benign and don't cause any harm. Acid reflux also can provoke some amount of premature beats.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (29 hours later)

Doctor Thank you for your response. You have put my mind at ease. One last thing I would like to ask is, do the Pacs and pvcs lead to more dangerous arythmia or is it only with people who have heart disease?

Answered by Dr. Lilit Baghdasaryan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,

If there are not very frequent, such as more than 800 a day, they are not dangerous, especially in your age.

Wishing you good health

Regards,

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar