Prognosis
The prognosis for tachycardia after meals is quite good. Especially dumping syndromes can be controlled well by spontaneous regression or dietary adjustment. Even after successful treatment of the other causes, such as type II diabetes, hyperinsulinism and hyperthyroidism, the prognosis is good.
Prophylaxis
In the case of dumping syndromes, heart palpitations after a meal can be prevented by eating small meals spread out over the day or by additional carbohydrate intake after the meal. Prophylaxis can also be carried out by keeping to the underlying causes, such as diabetes mellitus or hyperthyroidism.
What role does histamine play?
Histamine is a messenger substance of the human body and is found especially in reactions of the immune system. However, there are also foods that contain high concentrations of histamine. These are mainly meat or milk products that have been stored for a long time or have been smoked.
This is not a problem as long as the person does not have a so-called histamine intolerance syndrome. If this is the case, the absorption of histamine leads to a kind of allergic reaction, which can cause cardiac arrhythmia. However, this circumstance is then additionally characterized by itching, breathing difficulties and possibly a drop in blood pressure.
Tachycardia after meals and thyroid gland
In the case of hyperthyroidism, there is increased activity of the metabolism and organs. This phenomenon also occurs when an excessive dose of thyroid hormones is taken. Symptoms that can be caused by this are, for example, increased nervousness, restlessness, heavy sweating, weight loss, but also palpitations.
This can occur after eating, but typically also in other contexts as well as at rest. This should always be clarified by a doctor in order to bring the hormone situation back into balance, for example by radioiodine therapy. A regular check of the thyroid gland parameters in the blood is recommended.
Tachycardia after meals during pregnancy
Heart palpitations after eating during pregnancy occur mainly in connection with a dumping syndrome or a lowered blood sugar level. The dumping syndrome occurs in most cases in women who have already had surgery to reduce their stomachs at a young age due to being overweight. The shortened passage of the food rice through the stomach can lead to increased water movement in the direction of the intestinal lumen or to increased insulin secretion and consequently to symptoms such as palpitations after eating.
Too low a blood sugar level can also trigger tachycardia. The risk is particularly high in women with type I diabetes in the first trimester of pregnancy, but also in other types of diabetes if the blood sugar level is not sufficiently adjusted by the physical changes during pregnancy. As a countermeasure, sugar can be given in various forms. If such problems occur during pregnancy, a doctor should always be consulted.
