1. < Heart Rhythm Conditions
Profile picture for shonuff

Heart palpitations due to vagus nerve ?

Posted by shonuff @shonuff, Jan 27, 2025

Has anyone ever had palpitations due to vagus nerve and if so how did you deal with it?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Heart Rhythm Conditions Support Group.

Profile picture for kridings64
kridings64 | @kridings64 | Aug 6 8:36am
In reply to @shonuff "Thank you for the reply. I’ve been telling my doctors how I get these palpitations followed..." + (show)
Profile picture for shonuff @shonuff

Thank you for the reply. I’ve been telling my doctors how I get these palpitations followed by heart racing events to where I feel like I’m going to pass out. But every time I get the palpitations I’ll belch like I’m digesting food. The doctor looks at me like I’m crazy

Jump to this post

@shonuff I get the same thing g except my heard do t race it definitely has b4 but the skipped beats ...as I call them is scary I hatethe feel of them ..I had a aortic valve replacement 3 years ago and it started then I feel like I need to burp alot when it happens also

REPLY
Profile picture for drherm
drherm | @drherm | Aug 9 1:51pm
In reply to @ss52 "This is from chat Gpt good luck and god bless Calming the vagus nerve can help..." + (show)
Profile picture for ss52 @ss52

This is from chat Gpt good luck and god bless

Calming the vagus nerve can help reduce symptoms like racing heart, anxiety, nausea, throat tightness, or digestive discomfort. There are several safe ways to stimulate or relax it, both physically and mentally:
1. Breathing Techniques
The vagus nerve is closely tied to the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) system. Slow, deep breathing activates it:
Diaphragmatic breathing: Breathe deeply into your belly, not your chest.
4-7-8 method: Inhale 4 seconds → hold 7 seconds → exhale 8 seconds.
Extended exhale: Make your exhale longer than your inhale; this signals relaxation.
2. Cold Exposure
Splash cold water on your face or take a brief cold shower.
This activates the vagus nerve via the “dive reflex,” slowing heart rate and promoting calm.
3. Gargling or Humming
Gargle with water or humming/vocalizing “ahh” sounds.
These stimulate the muscles in the throat connected to the vagus nerve.
4. Gentle Neck/Throat Massage
Lightly massage the sides of your neck (where the carotid sinus is) or the area just under the jaw.
Can reduce tension and indirectly calm the nerve.
5. Mind-Body Practices
Meditation or mindfulness: Focused attention or guided meditation can downregulate stress.
Yoga or tai chi: Slow movements and controlled breathing support vagal tone.
6. Digestive Support
Eating slowly and mindfully can prevent overloading the vagus nerve.
Avoid very large meals or highly irritating foods (spicy, acidic), especially if you have reflux or LPR.
7. Lifestyle Factors
Adequate sleep supports vagal tone.
Moderate exercise (walking, swimming) improves baseline vagus function.
Social engagement: Laughing, talking, or singing with others naturally stimulates the vagus.
⚠️ Caution: If you have heart rhythm issues, sudden drops in heart rate or dizziness with vagal maneuvers should be monitored carefully. Some techniques like intense bearing down (Valsalva maneuver) can trigger arrhythmia in sensitive hearts.
If you want, I can make a step-by-step routine that calms the vagus nerve in 5–10 minutes, designed specifically for someone with reflux and mild arrhythmia. It’s very practical and safe. Do you want me to do that?

Jump to this post

@ss52 please send step by step routine that calms vagus nerve to my email
Drhermesch@hotmail.com
Thank you

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for pdgallew
pdgallew | @pdgallew | Sep 21 8:37am
In reply to @shonuff "Thank you for the reply. I’ve been telling my doctors how I get these palpitations followed..." + (show)
Profile picture for shonuff @shonuff

Thank you for the reply. I’ve been telling my doctors how I get these palpitations followed by heart racing events to where I feel like I’m going to pass out. But every time I get the palpitations I’ll belch like I’m digesting food. The doctor looks at me like I’m crazy

Jump to this post

@shonuff How're you doing with this? Im going through it now. Yes, I get the crazy look. So, I'm on heart medication for svt, but, I think this is what it is. It starts in the digestive system. I need answers.

REPLY
Profile picture for pdgallew
pdgallew | @pdgallew | Sep 21 8:44am
In reply to @cstrutt52 "I went into AFib many times due to the vegus nerve. I had troubles with my..." + (show)
Profile picture for cstrutt52 @cstrutt52

I went into AFib many times due to the vegus nerve. I had troubles with my throat (two dilations so far) and vomiting stuck food nearly always put me into AFib. Sometimes, simple bending or coughing could put me into AFib. Finally, had an ablation on Feb 20. Hope that will take care of it.

Jump to this post

@cstrutt52 Hi. I have svt. I noticed a full stomach is when its more likely to happen. I had a heart ablation 3 yrs ago, but, it's back, so, im back on heart medication for now to control it. The ablation was good, but, the signals can find a way to re-route, so-to-speak. Good luck. I'm still looking for answers.

REPLY
Profile picture for mbaisley
mbaisley | @mbaisley | 6 days ago
In reply to @ss52 "This is from chat Gpt good luck and god bless Calming the vagus nerve can help..." + (show)
Profile picture for ss52 @ss52

This is from chat Gpt good luck and god bless

Calming the vagus nerve can help reduce symptoms like racing heart, anxiety, nausea, throat tightness, or digestive discomfort. There are several safe ways to stimulate or relax it, both physically and mentally:
1. Breathing Techniques
The vagus nerve is closely tied to the parasympathetic (“rest and digest”) system. Slow, deep breathing activates it:
Diaphragmatic breathing: Breathe deeply into your belly, not your chest.
4-7-8 method: Inhale 4 seconds → hold 7 seconds → exhale 8 seconds.
Extended exhale: Make your exhale longer than your inhale; this signals relaxation.
2. Cold Exposure
Splash cold water on your face or take a brief cold shower.
This activates the vagus nerve via the “dive reflex,” slowing heart rate and promoting calm.
3. Gargling or Humming
Gargle with water or humming/vocalizing “ahh” sounds.
These stimulate the muscles in the throat connected to the vagus nerve.
4. Gentle Neck/Throat Massage
Lightly massage the sides of your neck (where the carotid sinus is) or the area just under the jaw.
Can reduce tension and indirectly calm the nerve.
5. Mind-Body Practices
Meditation or mindfulness: Focused attention or guided meditation can downregulate stress.
Yoga or tai chi: Slow movements and controlled breathing support vagal tone.
6. Digestive Support
Eating slowly and mindfully can prevent overloading the vagus nerve.
Avoid very large meals or highly irritating foods (spicy, acidic), especially if you have reflux or LPR.
7. Lifestyle Factors
Adequate sleep supports vagal tone.
Moderate exercise (walking, swimming) improves baseline vagus function.
Social engagement: Laughing, talking, or singing with others naturally stimulates the vagus.
⚠️ Caution: If you have heart rhythm issues, sudden drops in heart rate or dizziness with vagal maneuvers should be monitored carefully. Some techniques like intense bearing down (Valsalva maneuver) can trigger arrhythmia in sensitive hearts.
If you want, I can make a step-by-step routine that calms the vagus nerve in 5–10 minutes, designed specifically for someone with reflux and mild arrhythmia. It’s very practical and safe. Do you want me to do that?

Jump to this post

Yes, I would appreciate reading your step by step routine.
Thank you.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for d050526
d050526 | @d050526 | 5 days ago
In reply to @mbaisley "Yes, I would appreciate reading your step by step routine. Thank you." + (show)
Profile picture for mbaisley @mbaisley

Yes, I would appreciate reading your step by step routine.
Thank you.

Jump to this post

@mbaisley
I would be interested as well. ty.

REPLY
Profile picture for tootall10
tootall10 | @tootall10 | 4 days ago

I usually get the feeling that my heart is racing at night, especially if I lay on my left side. I found that during the period when it feels like the heart is racing if I feel my wrist pulse, it's normal. There are more burps involved. I found that if I breath deeply into my abdomen and I mean it's expanded to the fullest, it stops the vibration. I hold it for maybe ten seconds and slowly exhale. That seems to work every time so far. Hope this helps.

REPLY
Profile picture for diane987654321
diane987654321 | @diane987654321 | 1 day ago
In reply to @drherm "@ss52 please send step by step routine that calms vagus nerve to my email Drhermesch@hotmail.com Thank..." + (show)
Profile picture for drherm @drherm

@ss52 please send step by step routine that calms vagus nerve to my email
Drhermesch@hotmail.com
Thank you

Jump to this post

@drherm

This paper, TREAT AF, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32192678/, outlines the pulse width and frequency of what they did in their study. I use an ear mold electrode and put gel on it with a fairly cheap TENs unit. You have to have a device that you can change the pulse width and frequency, some of them have fixed values. I suggest starting at VERY LOW intensity, like barely feeling it, for a few minutes. The next day move it up a bit and go a little longer. For some sensitive people it can really slow their heart rate down. You never want to blast it. I put the second electrode on a tens patch (I've been reusing the same one for ages) on my right shoulder where it gets a little tight, kills two birds with one battery! DO NOT BE AGGRESSIVE! You won't notice any changes for a few weeks.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.