Question: I have been diagnosed with GERD and am on Protonix daily. When my stomach bothers me, my heart races and has premature beats. Previous EKGs and Holter monitoring have been negative, and my doctor isn’t concerned.

Dr. Hibberd's Answer:

Disturbing palpitations associated with reflux symptoms deserve further evaluation. Ask your doctor to evaluate you further or refer you to a cardiologist. Simple acid reflux symptoms do not usually cause rapid heart rates.

Cardiac disease may present with reflux-like symptoms. Sometimes we need to perform provocative stress testing or perhaps use an event monitor that will record your cardiac rhythm when your rapid heart rate occurs. You may also want to consider further evaluation, including endoscopic, to seek out underlying disorders that may need further treatment.