Heart palpitations?

[TXUKGal]

Hi all....I was wondering if anyone else had experienced these? I've had them in the past and they were associated with low potassium. I've been checked for that and that's normal. I also had an EKG as a precaution and that was fine.

I was thinking about possible side effects of sweetners and wondered if anyone had experienced palpitations due to sweetners ?

Thanks in advance

[Laura in Arizona]

Originally Posted by TXUKGal

Hi all....I was wondering if anyone else had experienced these? I've had them in the past and they were associated with low potassium. I've been checked for that and that's normal. I also had an EKG as a precaution and that was fine.

I was thinking about possible side effects of sweetners and wondered if anyone had experienced palpitations due to sweetners ?

Thanks in advance

I also have palpitations and they are so scary. My EKG was fine so doc said unless they get worse not to worry about them. I am perimenopausal and much of my research indicated that the changing hormones can cause them as well thyroid problems.

That being said I think there are lots of things that can trigger them. I stopped drinking coffee, don't eat chocolate or sugar as all of these seemed to contribute. I personally have not had problems with splenda but I have read here other people who say for them it did. I started taking calcium and magnesium at bedtime and think that may be a key for me. I have not had much of a problem for a couple of months and hope this continues.

Good luck on discovering your triggers.

[Andrea78]

Yes, I have them every so often. Have for years. Never been checked out though. Caffeine, sugar and artificial sweeteners aggravate them for me so I try to avoid all that. Stress does it to me, too. I really should have that checked out, I know. I have a heart murmur though, not sure if that plays into it or not. But I have noticed that when I am sticking to the low carb way of life, my palpitations happen ALOT less.

[TXUKGal]

Originally Posted by Laura in Arizona

I also have palpitations and they are so scary. My EKG was fine so doc said unless they get worse not to worry about them. I am perimenopausal and much of my research indicated that the changing hormones can cause them as well thyroid problems.

That being said I think there are lots of things that can trigger them. I stopped drinking coffee, don't eat chocolate or sugar as all of these seemed to contribute. I personally have not had problems with splenda but I have read here other people who say for them it did. I started taking calcium and magnesium at bedtime and think that may be a key for me. I have not had much of a problem for a couple of months and hope this continues.

Good luck on discovering your triggers.

Hiya....caffeine is/was a definite trigger for me so I avoid it like the plague. I've not had any chocolate for weeks because that can bring on palpitations. I'll do a search for perimenopause and thyroid and see what I come up with.

I just keep thinking, here I'm doing all this stuff to make myself healthy and then this hits. They've lasted for more than a week which is really unusual for me. I guess I should be happy that my doctor doesn't seem really concerned.

[TXUKGal]

Originally Posted by Andrea78

Yes, I have them every so often. Have for years. Never been checked out though. Caffeine, sugar and artificial sweeteners aggravate them for me so I try to avoid all that. Stress does it to me, too. I really should have that checked out, I know. I have a heart murmur though, not sure if that plays into it or not. But I have noticed that when I am sticking to the low carb way of life, my palpitations happen ALOT less.

Unfortunately, mine have increased since going low carb. Thought I might be low on potassium but according to the bloodwork, all is fine.

I'm going to keep a closer eye on what I eat to make sure it doesn't have caffeine or artificial sweetners.

[Andrea78]

Originally Posted by TXUKGal

Unfortunately, mine have increased since going low carb. Thought I might be low on potassium but according to the bloodwork, all is fine.

I'm going to keep a closer eye on what I eat to make sure it doesn't have caffeine or artificial sweetners.

Wow, that's so weird they have increased for you. They are very scary, I hate them too. Do you have a lot of stress in your life?

[fawn]

I had heart palpatations from Splenda use. Once I eliminated the splenda, they went away completely. Palpatations and pain. EKG was fine.

[Illy]

My husband got really bad palpitations last year. We were painting the house outside in the hot summer. He got them and ended up in the ER, he had low potassium, we think that was the cause, he got dehydrated because of the heat. He had several tests done and everything came back negative. What did help him was to take magnesium pills,a doctor recommended it, he takes I believe its scalled slowmag and they sell it over the counter. He also stopped drinking caffeine, when he does, he gets a few but they have gotten away pretty much (after a really bad year). The doctor also told him to stay hydrated and live an active life.
He really recommends the magnesium pills

[Laura in Arizona]

Originally Posted by TXUKGal

Unfortunately, mine have increased since going low carb. Thought I might be low on potassium but according to the bloodwork, all is fine.

I'm going to keep a closer eye on what I eat to make sure it doesn't have caffeine or artificial sweetners.

You know, I think mine increased when I started low carb. I started the beginning of June and as I recall they were worse that month. I remember thinking like you that it was potassium so added some to my diet. That is when I also started the calcium and magnesium at bedtime religiously. I don't know what it was but for the past 2 months I have been better than I have for along time. I no longer take any extra potassium. As I mentioned, for me I believe it is the magnesium. Perhaps those of us that have had problems with palpitations before low carb are more sensitive to a slight drop in potassium even though not clinically low? Just a thought. Also possibly we have a higher need for magnesium.

Just keep working at it, you will get it sorted out.

[TXUKGal]

Originally Posted by Andrea78

Wow, that's so weird they have increased for you. They are very scary, I hate them too. Do you have a lot of stress in your life?

I don't think I have any more stress than the average person. In fact I just recently been doing accupuncture which is really relaxing.

[TXUKGal]

Originally Posted by fawn

I had heart palpatations from Splenda use. Once I eliminated the splenda, they went away completely. Palpatations and pain. EKG was fine.

I'm leaning toward Aspartame being the cause because I can't remember the last time I had splenda. At any rate, I'm steering clear of all artificial sweeteners for the time being.

[TXUKGal]

Originally Posted by Illy

My husband got really bad palpitations last year. We were painting the house outside in the hot summer. He got them and ended up in the ER, he had low potassium, we think that was the cause, he got dehydrated because of the heat. He had several tests done and everything came back negative. What did help him was to take magnesium pills,a doctor recommended it, he takes I believe its scalled slowmag and they sell it over the counter. He also stopped drinking caffeine, when he does, he gets a few but they have gotten away pretty much (after a really bad year). The doctor also told him to stay hydrated and live an active life.
He really recommends the magnesium pills

I did wonder if I had depleted my electrolytes purely from drinking loads of water lately. I plan to look back through my Fitday menus to see how my nutrition has been. I might be low in something other than potassium.

[TXUKGal]

Originally Posted by Laura in Arizona

You know, I think mine increased when I started low carb. I started the beginning of June and as I recall they were worse that month. I remember thinking like you that it was potassium so added some to my diet. That is when I also started the calcium and magnesium at bedtime religiously. I don't know what it was but for the past 2 months I have been better than I have for along time. I no longer take any extra potassium. As I mentioned, for me I believe it is the magnesium. Perhaps those of us that have had problems with palpitations before low carb are more sensitive to a slight drop in potassium even though not clinically low? Just a thought. Also possibly we have a higher need for magnesium.

Just keep working at it, you will get it sorted out.

According to Fitday I have been continually low on potassium, calcium, magnesium and fiber. I've just recently started taking calcium so I might need to add some additional supplements.

I'm one that is sensitive to low potassium even when not clinically low. Usually just eating potassium rich foods has helped. It could be (for me) that this might always be an issue just because I now restrict veg and fruit carbs.

[TXUKGal]

Just a wee update. I had palpitations off and on today and decided to go ahead and take a magnesium. Keeping fingers crossed, so far so good, no further palpitations. I am now adding magnesium to my regime. Thanks for the hint.

[Laura in Arizona]

Originally Posted by TXUKGal

Just a wee update. I had palpitations off and on today and decided to go ahead and take a magnesium. Keeping fingers crossed, so far so good, no further palpitations. I am now adding magnesium to my regime. Thanks for the hint.

I am so happy for you. Palpitations are SO difficult to live with. Keep taking the magnesium even if you have more episodes. As I recall after I started it, I had some now and then. Now after 3 months with it though, I cannot tell you the last time. I feel much better and more calm too. Please keep us posted. So many people have these it is important to get the word out on things that may help.

[fawn]

I also advise taking raw apple cider vinegar either in a dressing or in some water for electrolyte balance.

[TXUKGal]

Originally Posted by Laura in Arizona

I am so happy for you. Palpitations are SO difficult to live with. Keep taking the magnesium even if you have more episodes. As I recall after I started it, I had some now and then. Now after 3 months with it though, I cannot tell you the last time. I feel much better and more calm too. Please keep us posted. So many people have these it is important to get the word out on things that may help.

This time it was just so scary because I've never had them this intense and last as long as they did. I was really beginning to think that something was seriously wrong. I had been a bit lax with all my supplements and will be better in the future. I've had a blip or two over the last couple of days but today has been palpitation free

[TXUKGal]

Originally Posted by fawn

I also advise taking raw apple cider vinegar either in a dressing or in some water for electrolyte balance.

I did buy some (or so I thought) about a month ago but realized it didn't have the "mother" in it. Will need to look at some health food stores and see if I can find it.

[Ailuros]

Originally Posted by fawn

I also advise taking raw apple cider vinegar either in a dressing or in some water for electrolyte balance.

Thanks for that suggestion, Fawn. I'll try it next time we have very hot weather. Since I increased my carbs a bit, maintaining my electrolytes isn't such a struggle, but it's nice to have options for those times when you need a bit of extra help.

[Jennyl]

I get a heart palpatation about once a week or so. It's a really strange feeling. Like my heart is doing a little dance in my chest. It only lasts about 10 seconds and it isn't painful at all, I don't feel short of breath or anything. I've never asked the doctor about it so I don't know why I get it.

[txtapper]

This is an interesting thread. I had heart palpitations off and on for a couple of years but only at night and they werent' bad. I never did report them to the doc because I never thought about it while I was in the office.

In the past two years I have increased both my calcium and magnesium (had a bone density test and it wasn't good) so I'm thinking the magnesium must be what has helped me.

I can't understand though why some are having them after going low car. I would think refined carbs would increase them. I didn't give up coffee but I only drink one cup a day. After that it's decaf because more than that keeps me up at night heart palpitations or not.

[CurveControl]

I get PVCs occasionally, I wore a holter and had stress test and ekg and all that but I checked out fine other than a couple of episodes.

I have never seen an increase with sweetners or a decrease when I do not have them, They just "are".

[Laura in Arizona]

Originally Posted by txtapper

This is an interesting thread. I had heart palpitations off and on for a couple of years but only at night and they werent' bad. I never did report them to the doc because I never thought about it while I was in the office.

In the past two years I have increased both my calcium and magnesium (had a bone density test and it wasn't good) so I'm thinking the magnesium must be what has helped me.

I can't understand though why some are having them after going low car. I would think refined carbs would increase them. I didn't give up coffee but I only drink one cup a day. After that it's decaf because more than that keeps me up at night heart palpitations or not.

I could be totally wrong but from what I understand when people first start on low carb due to the restrictions in fruits and some vegetables combined with the diuretic effect of the plan (and extra water people consume), some people develop electrolyte imbalances (chiefly potassium). A deficiency in potassium can cause palpitations. I believe in my case, that is why mine got worse when I started LC but I have had episodes previously. That is why for me I feel I have either an underlying deficiency or an increased requirement for potassium and/or magnesium.

The one thing that I have really learned is how different peoples bodies are in their relationship to foods. For some people artificial sweeteners, the refined carbs or coffee do contribute to problems, while for others it is not the key. I think the issue is that when we have something that is not right, it is an indication that there is an imbalance in the body. Our job is to figure out for us what we need to add or eliminate to restore the balance. It is not easy and there is a lot of trial and error. Plus our bodies change as we get older. Things that never used to be a problem can become one. That's why forums like this where people can learn things that helped other people are so great.

Sorry about your bone density results but good for you for being proactive about it. And glad you discovered a key for your heart palpitations.

[Inobu]

I think Laura's right

I have been going through the same issues. Trip to the ER and everything ok. T3,T4 ok (Thyroid) low Calcium was the only issue found in the blood test. The palpitations sure do play a mind game on you. I'm a pretty level headed guy but it drives your heart rate and blood pressure up from the anxiety. It has a snow ball effect.

Here is my .02

The palpitation has to be from some kind of imbalance. I think when we diet we create the imbalance. Our body regulates it self depending on what we do. When we start on a different diet we do it over night. We do not give our body time to adjust to this change. Our body processes the food that we ingest to create and distribute the minerals we need. If we change the ingredients, we change the formula. This has to have an effect.

If our body has adjusted in one way and we swing over to the extreme the next morning it may no be able to balance itself out. The over compensation in one area can drive things out of whack in another.

The key is finding what is out of whack. That could be difficult because everyone lives a different lifestyle. Mine is entirely different from yours. This is why we see so many different responses from so many people.

Iron, Calcium, potassium all contributes to our blood and blood flow. .Some women need to deal with iron loss, men with salt or iodine for example. There is no telling what mineral is missing. Some minerals are loss when mixed with others. Iron for example is absorbed by different foods and is lost. There is heme and non heme. Calcium needs Vitamin D to be effective.

There is a possibility that your diet change with the compensation factor that your body used before in now inadequate causing the palpitations. Now your body cannot find the formula that it used before so to speak.

I think the only way to help it is to identify what is missing or restore some of the previous used minerals. Here is an example with me.

I noticed that I can alleviate the palpitations by eating tuna. It seems to ease the palpitations. I found that Omega 3 is a mineral that is know to reduce heart palpitations. This lets me know that what ever is in Omega 3 (fish oil) can help. The question for me is Does it have something to do with my blood flow or my blood make up and what does Omega 3 give it. What variance was my body using before I change my diet or is it just me getting old.

I'm always on the go and I was fine for a week, missed a meal a few days ago and the palpitations started again.

Before all of this I was on a diet 2 month ago. I was exercising cutting calories. Dropped sugar and used Splenda (Don't use this poision, This is the main culprits, although I stopped using I still have the probelm) I was down to a 7 minute mile when all of a sudden the palpitations hit. It really freaked me out. When I started to evaluate my situation I notice that there was very little red meat in the frig. Lots of pastas, veggies and tuna and that Splenda. I've got a feeling that me body has made its' mid life change. I may have to adjust to this change. This means new eating habits which is good.

I am trying to identify the deficit in my diet and then allow my body to re-adjust or recoup from the Splenda. I'm thinking that I have to do it methodically, if not I could end up chasing my shadow. Every change I make in my diet my body may counter it creating a perpetual loop.

We will see, I hope this helps.

Oh, I tried the Adkins diet and found these two points.

1. It is good for morale but is not a long term solution. Use it to knock of the initial weight, let is get you motivated and then move to the conventional
Balance diet and hard exercise. That will be the life style change necessary to succeed permanently. Low Carb is only t