What you should know about palpitations and digestive complaints
The heart consists of four parts: two upper chambers (atria) and two lower chambers (ventricles), and a healthy adult heart normally beats 60 to 90 times per minute at rest. The heart rhythm is controlled by the sinus node, which is located in the right atrium. This is a natural pacemaker that sends electrical impulses to the heart. Palpitations manifest as a heart rate that is faster than normal at rest, and with heart rhythm disorders the heart beats too fast or irregularly.
If you experience an irregular heartbeat and palpitations after eating certain foods, elevated histamine levels may be a possibility. An increase in histamine in the body manifests as allergic symptoms and is caused by histamine intolerance or by a deficiency of the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO), which can break down histamine.
Symptoms associated with high histamine levels
High histamine levels can be accompanied by various complaints, including palpitations. Other symptoms and complaints include:
- Loose stool
- A blocked nose
- Insomnia
- Itching
- Headache
- Diarrhoea
- Rapid pulse when drinking red wine
- Rapid pulse when eating certain foods due to odors or allergens
Other causes of palpitations
When histamine levels are not high, it is important to identify the cause. Other possible factors that can cause palpitations include:
– Cardiovascular disease
– High blood pressure
– Anaemia
– Diabetes
– Overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism)
– Smoking
– Excessive alcohol consumption
– Caffeine consumption
– Herbs
– Air pollution
Testing for palpitations and digestive complaints
For palpitations or an irregular heartbeat in combination with digestive complaints, stool testing through Darmklachten.nl may help in looking for the cause. See our recommended test packages and individual modules below.
Causes of palpitations in relation to digestive complaints
- Food allergy
- High histamine levels
- Deficiency of the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) due to:
- Medication use
- An infection of the small intestine
- It may be congenital
More information about the tests
- Digestive parameters pH, fat, starch, color and consistency of the stool – read more…
- Eosinophil-derived Neurotoxin – Biomarker for allergies and an increase in histamine – read more…
- Calprotectin – Inflammation marker for Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis – read more…
- Histamine intolerance – Testing for the absence of the enzyme diamine oxidase – read more
About darmklachten.nl
Darmklachten.nl is an initiative of MGlab&Advies, a laboratory specializing in stool testing. …read more
