Why Your Heart Pounds Fast After Eating
With the winter holidays over, its time to get back to healthy eating and, for some residents, cold weather workouts. The holidays for many folks mean time spent with friends and family. It also means heavier meals and more opportunities to eat a few too many sweets. Whether you change your eating patterns at this time of year, or you stay consistent year-round, you may have noticed something unusual after you finished eating. In this post, we examine why some people experience a pounding heart after finishing a meal.
Responses To Food Plus Water Consumption
After food and water consumption, significant mean reductions were observed in BP. Although readings 3 min after food intake were significantly higher for both brachial and central systolic and diastolic pressures , the results between 30 and 105 min were lower than baseline. Mean brachial systolic pressure over 2 h of the postprandial state was not significantly different from baseline . In contrast, mean brachial diastolic , central systolic , and diastolic pressures were significantly lower than baseline . The changes in BP led to significant mean reductions in mean arterial pressure, AP, and AI during 2 h after food plus water consumption compared with baseline . Heart rate was significantly higher than baseline from 30 to 90 min postprandially . All of these effects were more prominent from 30 min onward, with the maximum change occurring 45 min after the meal. The maximum mean decreases in brachial systolic and diastolic BP at 45 min after meal intake were 2.7% and 8.1%, respectively. This corresponded to a 7% and 8% decrease in central systolic and diastolic BP, which resulted in mean reductions of 27% in AP and AI. A representative radial and central waveform from an individual at fasting and 45 min after the meal plus water consumption, illustrating these changes, is shown in .
Radial and corresponding central waveforms at baseline and 45 min after breakfast food plus water consumption for an individual female subject aged 56 y.
Sodium In Medications Supplements And Pick
Effervescent and soluble tablets and powders that you add to water contain sodium carbonate or sodium bicarbonate to make them fizz. For example, vitamin C supplements like Berocca, and soluble painkillers such as aspirin and Alka Seltzer.
The amount of sodium in these products can be equivalent to 1g of salt. This can really add to your daily salt intake so try to avoid these and use tablets instead.
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Tips To Measure Your Blood Pressure Correctly
To determine whether you have hypertension, a medical professional will take a blood pressure reading. How you prepare for the test, the position of your arm, and other factors can change a blood pressure reading by 10% or more. That could be enough to hide high blood pressure, start you on a drug you donât really need, or lead your doctor to incorrectly adjust your medications.
National and international guidelines offer specific instructions for measuring blood pressure. If a doctor, nurse, or medical assistant isnât doing it right, donât hesitate to ask him or her to get with the guidelines.
Hereâs what you can do to ensure a correct reading:
Donât drink a caffeinated beverage or smoke during the 30 minutes before the test.
Sit quietly for five minutes before the test begins.
During the measurement, sit in a chair with your feet on the floor and your arm supported so your elbow is at about heart level.
The inflatable part of the cuff should completely cover at least 80% of your upper arm, and the cuff should be placed on bare skin, not over a shirt.
Donât talk during the measurement.
Have your blood pressure measured twice, with a brief break in between. If the readings are different by 5 points or more, have it done a third time.
For more on getting your blood pressure under control, buy Controlling Your Blood Pressure, a Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School.
Factors That Can Exaggerate Blood Pressure Readings
When you go to the doctors office, measuring blood pressure is one ofthe ways doctors can check up on your heart health. The only way to diagnosehigh blood pressure, or hypertension, is by a blood pressure test.
A healthy blood pressure reading is anywhere between 90/60 and 120/80.Anything 140/90 or above is considered a highblood pressure reading, which couldbe a diagnosis of hypertension, one of the leading causes of heart disease thatcan lead to heart attacks, kidney failure, stroke, and even dementia. If yourblood pressure measures below 90/60, that could be an indicator of hypotension,or low blood pressure, which can result in dizziness, fainting, and long-termdamage to the heart and brain.
Because of the associated risks, a higher or lower than normal blood pressurereading in a healthy adult can be alarming. But did you know there are a numberof factors that can cause a temporary spike or drop in your blood pressure,leading to a false reading? Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to preparefor your test to ensure an accurate reading.
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Most People With Hypertension Feel Okay
Hypertension usually does not produce any symptoms, because the organs of the body can resist high blood pressure for a long time. Thats why its important to have regular medical examinations to make sure your blood pressure isnt creeping up as you grow older.High blood pressure over a period of time can contribute to many illnesses, including:
The effects of high blood pressure on the arteries are worsened by:
- cigarette smoking
- high levels of saturated fat in the diet
- high blood cholesterol
Responses to some types of stress may affect both blood pressure and changes in the arteries, but this remains scientifically uncertain.
Boost Your B12 Intake
Vitamin B12 performs a critical role in helping the body produce healthy red blood cells. Lack of this important vitamin can result in anemia, which lowers blood pressure and can result in excessive bleeding as well as organ and nerve damage. Foods that are rich in vitamin B12 include eggs, chicken, fish like salmon and tuna, and low-fat dairy products.
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When To Contact A Doctor
Here are some reasons to see a doctor about your blood pressure during or after exercise:
- Your systolic blood pressure goes above 180 mm Hg or your diastolic pressure goes above 120 mm Hg when exercising and takes a long time to come down.
- Youve previously experienced a hypertensive emergency.
- You have uncontrolled blood pressure.
- You dont have hypertension, but youre experiencing EIH.
If you have any heart attack symptoms, stop exercising and call 911 or local emergency services right away.
Increase In Blood Pressure After Eating
If blood pressure goes up after eating or blood pressure drops after eating, it can be a little unsettling however, having a better understanding of the digestive process and how pressure can change can put minds at ease.
While there are a lot of factors that impact blood pressure, including the thickness of blood vessels and arteries and flow of blood, our digestive system also plays an important role. When we eat, our bodies need to break down the food. In order for this to happen, we need oxygen to help release digestive acids and enzymes. This means that oxygenated blood must flow to the blood vessels in the gut.
During this process, the body is telling the heart more blood is needed in the gastric system , so naturally, there is going to be a faster cardiac output. This may account for a blood pressure increase after eating. The kind of food we eat can also impact blood pressure. For instance, oil, butter, and other foods that contain fat can decrease blood flow, thus increasing cardiac output. Additionally, foods that are high in sodium lead to more pressure on the heart and lungs. Adding to this is the water retention that sodium causes. Extra water also puts pressure on lungs and the heart. Research has long demonstrated that a low fiber, high fat diet impacts blood flow and therefore affects blood pressure.
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How Does Exercise Affect Blood Pressure
Exercise increases the demands your body puts on your heart and cardiovascular system.
Your muscles need oxygen in order to move. To keep up with the demands of exercise, your heart has to pump oxygenated blood harder and faster, moving it through your arteries and veins more quickly and forcefully. This increases your blood pressure.
Over time, as your heart gets fitter, it becomes more efficient at pumping your blood. That lowers your blood pressure, including when youre at rest.
According to the American Heart Association, a healthy resting blood pressure is lower than 120/80 mm Hg . The first number represents your systolic blood pressure, or the amount of pressure on your arteries when your heart beats. The second number is your diastolic blood pressure, the measure of the pressure on your arteries when your heart is filling up with blood.
Is Blood Pressure Higher After Eating & Drinking
You wouldnt run a marathon or swim laps on a full stomach. Aside from the discomfort you would feel, you would put undue strain on your cardiovascular system. Although you know this intuitively, it helps to know the physiology of the human body that explains the role of circulation in digestion.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
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How Can Eating Affect Your Blood Pressure
When a person eats, their body redirects blood to the digestive tract to aid with digestion. This causes a temporary decrease in blood pressure elsewhere in the body.
To compensate, blood vessels outside of the digestive tract constrict, causing the heart to beat faster and more forcefully. This helps maintain healthy blood pressure throughout the body.
Some people experience a persistent drop in blood pressure after eating. This happens when the blood vessels outside of the digestive system do not constrict. Doctors refer to this condition as postprandial hypotension, or low blood pressure after eating.
A person with high blood pressure is more likely to experience postprandial hypotension.
Postprandial hypotension can cause complications such as:
- visual disturbances
- angina, or chest pain
Fasting for long periods can also cause a drop in blood pressure. Additionally, it may increase a persons risk of developing electrolyte imbalances and nutrient deficiencies.
Meanwhile, certain foods can increase a persons blood pressure after eating: Foods that contain a lot of salt may cause a temporary spike, while foods with saturated fats present a longer-term risk.
People with prehypertension or hypertension should limit their intake of foods that could further increase their blood pressure: foods that contain salt or saturated fat.
Eating To Reduce High Blood Pressure
Small changes in your diet can make a big difference in your health.
Keeping your blood pressure and weight in check may reduce your risk for a host of potential health problems down the road from diabetes to heart disease. If your blood pressure is too high, changing your diet and losing a little weight just might be the ticket to lowering it.
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Dietary Changes To Help Lower Your Blood Pressure
Tips like starting the day with a nutrient-rich smoothie, enjoying fresh fruits, and ensuring adequate water intake can help control cravings and might keep you from eating processed sugar.
Choose a diet that’s rich in the following:
- Nuts and legumes
- Nontropical vegetable oils
Be sure to limit your intake of saturated and trans fats, sodium, red meat , and sweets and sugar-sweetened beverages.
There is some evidence to suggest that supplementing your diet with L-glutamine may be beneficial. One study demonstrated that, in overweight people and those with obesity, the effect of L-glutamine supplementation on gut microbiota was similar to that of weight loss programs.
Facts About High Blood Pressure
There’s a good reason why every doctor’s appointment starts with a blood pressure check. While one in three American adults has high blood pressure, about 20% of people are unaware that they have it because it is largely symptomless.
In fact, most people find out they have high blood pressure during a routine office visit.
Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of arteries as the heart pumps blood. High blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension, is when that force is too high and begins harming the body. If left untreated, it willl eventually cause damage to the heart and blood vessels.
Your blood pressure is measured in two numbers: The top systolic blood pressure measures the force pushing against artery walls when the heart is contracting. The bottom diastolic blood pressure measures pressure in the arteries when the heart is resting between beats.
Normal blood pressure levels are 120 mmHg/80 mmHg or lower. At risk levels are 120-139 mmHg/80-89 mmHg. Readings of 140 mmHg/90 mmHg or higher are defined as high blood pressure.
Here are six other things you should know about high blood pressure.
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Learning To Cope With Stress Can Help
Stress and hypertension have often been linked, but researchers are still looking into a direct relationship between the two. Still, the best advice to hypertensive patients: Try to relax.
When you are stressed, your body sends stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol into the bloodstream. These hormones create a temporary spike in blood pressure, causing your heart to beat faster and blood vessels to narrow. When the stressful situation is over, blood pressure goes back to its normal level.
Chronic stress, however, may cause your body to stay in this highly-charged state longer than natural.
While stress itself may or may not affect blood pressure, how you cope with stress does. For instance, overeating, smoking and drinking alcohol in response to stressful situations are direct causes of sustained high blood pressure. On the flip side, healthier coping mechanisms like exercising, practicing yoga and meditating can all help lower blood pressure.
How Blood Pressure Is Measured
Hypertension can be mild, moderate or severe. Your blood pressure is naturally higher when you are exerting yourself, such as during physical exercise. It is only a concern if your blood pressure is high when you are at rest, because this means your heart is overworked and your arteries have extra stress in their walls.Blood pressure readings are a combination of two measurements. These are:
- Systolic is the highest pressure against the arteries as the heart pumps. The normal systolic pressure is usually between 110 and 130mmHg.
- Diastolic is the pressure against the arteries as the heart relaxes and fills with blood. The normal diastolic pressure is usually between 70 and 80mmHg.
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How Does Salt Raise Your Blood Pressure
Salt makes your body hold onto water. If you eat too much, the extra water in your blood means there is extra pressure on your blood vessel walls, .
If you already have high blood pressure, too much salt will raise it further, and may mean that any youre taking don’t work as well as they should.
Cutting down on salt is one of the simplest ways to lower your blood pressure, and will start to make a difference very quickly, even within weeks.
Eating too much salt can lead to all the health problems high blood pressure causes, including , , and some types of .
Salt and your kidneys
Your kidneys play an important role in removing fluid and waste products from your body and in controlling your blood pressure. Eating too much salt makes them less able to do their job, raising your blood pressure and leading to .
Your kidneys filter out excess fluid from your blood, which then collects in your bladder to be removed as urine. They draw water out of your blood through osmosis where the water travels from the blood which is relatively low in sodium into channels which are higher in sodium sodium is the part of salt that raises your blood pressure.
Eating too much salt raises the amount of sodium in your blood, throwing off this fine balance of sodium and water, and damaging the tiny blood vessels in the kidneys.
Eating less salt can help your blood pressure medications to work
The Feeling Of A Pounding Heart
If you watch enough romantic movies or read romance novels, you know all about the pounding heart. Its the stereotypical flutters experienced when a character falls in love. In medical terms, these flutters are called heart palpitations. Heart palpitations dont feel the same for every person. You may feel like your heart is fluttering, racing, or pounding. Sometimes palpitations make you feel like your heart skips a beat. Palpitations arent only felt in the heart. Pounding is sometimes felt in the chest, throat, or neck.
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When To See A Doctor
Have your blood pressure checked as part of your regular doctors visits. When youre ages 18 to 39, ask your doctor for a blood pressure reading every 3 to 5 years, if you are not at risk for high blood pressure and have a prior normal blood pressure reading.
If you have a high risk for high blood pressure, are overweight, or are over age 40, ask for a reading every year.
- have a high blood pressure reading and you havent received a diagnosis of hypertension
- have well-managed blood pressure, but it measures above the normal range more than once
- are concerned that your blood pressure medication is causing side effects