Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.



  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):

    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Can Celiac Cause Heart Problems?

kellysensei

Recommended Posts

kellysensei Apprentice
kellysensei
Posted

This fall, I went gluten-free for seven weeks but then went back to gluten on Dec. 9 to do blood work (which I'll have done next week). An EnteroLab stool test recently came back positive for gluten sensitivity.

 

About four weeks ago, I started having pains in my left chest. Sometimes they're sharp pains; sometimes it's a dull ache. Sometimes it feels like it's my ribs, but much of the time it feels like it's my heart. Yet I had an EKG and an echocardiogram (ultrasound) done, and they both came back normal. My doctor seems confused and said "this is a strange case." She basically just told me to take a bunch of Ibuprofen.

 

Could gluten be giving me chest pains, by any chance? I didn't think so, but the pain had subsided a bit last week, then I ate a bunch of gluten this weekend and the pain is much worse again today. I don't know what to think...

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

IMHO it is more likely you are experiencing stomach pains or it could possibly be gas. I get those pains when I get glutened or soyed. Many times a quick dose of brand name Pepto Bismal liquid will relieve it. Can't say that is the case for you. It does sound like your doctor is on top of this and has ruled out heart issues. That should give you at least some relief from that worry.

Hopefully you will be done with your challenge and be able to go back to gluten free soon and the pains will end.

w8in4dave Community Regular
w8in4dave
Posted

It can cause acid reflux, sometimes people go to the Hosp. because they think they are having a heart attack and find out it is acid reflux. It happened to me. I didn't go to the Hosp. but went to the Dr. after an episode. 

kellysensei Apprentice
kellysensei
Posted
  • Author

I was diagnosed with acid reflux in September, but that's not what this is. I've had a lot of bad heartburn this fall, and the pain I'm having now is not heartburn, nor is it stomach pain. The sharp pains I'm having are directly behind my left breast, and the throbbing pains are directly under and also to the left of that breast. 

kenlove Rising Star
kenlove
Posted

My doc has been trying to figure this out for more than 7 years.  My heart problems started after I got celiac in my 50s. They have tried to figure out why i have both atrial fibrulation and a flutter.  ive had to have cardiac ablation  which helped a lot  but now its 3 years later and have some of the same problems.  Just  took back the  monitor yesterday and waiting on the results. I did buy a BP machines which also gives pulse and tells you if you have an irregular heart beat. Not just about the pain  which I have some of the times. It comes and go but when my heart pops in and out of sinus or into a fib, it can  wake me up and give a lot of pain. A clinic i went to for a month had me go vegan about  4 years ago and I was fine. If I cheat which has only been about 6 times, i feel it in an hour. That is  cheat on being vegan not celiac.  Pulse stays about 88 even when resting but will go to 150 and sometimes drop to 40.

really makes it hard to be consistent.  Keep a record for your doc will help and getting that $100 machine will give you an idea of whats going on too. Good luck

 

This fall, I went gluten-free for seven weeks but then went back to gluten on Dec. 9 to do blood work (which I'll have done next week). An EnteroLab stool test recently came back positive for gluten sensitivity.

 

About four weeks ago, I started having pains in my left chest. Sometimes they're sharp pains; sometimes it's a dull ache. Sometimes it feels like it's my ribs, but much of the time it feels like it's my heart. Yet I had an EKG and an echocardiogram (ultrasound) done, and they both came back normal. My doctor seems confused and said "this is a strange case." She basically just told me to take a bunch of Ibuprofen.

 

Could gluten be giving me chest pains, by any chance? I didn't think so, but the pain had subsided a bit last week, then I ate a bunch of gluten this weekend and the pain is much worse again today. I don't know what to think...

frieze Community Regular
frieze
Posted

could be referred pain, coming from gut/stomache.  try gingerale/Maalox.

Jackie F Newbie
Jackie F
Posted

When I first started having issues after eating bread, etc my first symptom right away was heart palpitations. Then, an hour or so later I would have racing heart and sweating (somewhat like heart attack symptoms). After 8-12 hours of that, then the stomach pains, vomiting, fatigue, fog and finally the last stage is numbness in my wrists and face.  Granted, I was born with a severe congenital heart defect, but this disease is an autoimmune disease.  From what I was told by my cardiologist is that when I eat gluten (and now it is always by accident) the disease causes inflammation in my heart and attacks my heart.  I will have chest pains and palpitations for about a week after I eat gluten.  That is by far the worst part of the disease for me.  I can deal with the stomach issues, fatigue, but the heart attack symptoms are terrible!  Everyone is different, but this is the reason I never cheat on my diet, and if I eat gluten it is by accident. 

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


eers03 Explorer
eers03
Posted

This fall, I went gluten-free for seven weeks but then went back to gluten on Dec. 9 to do blood work (which I'll have done next week). An EnteroLab stool test recently came back positive for gluten sensitivity.

 

About four weeks ago, I started having pains in my left chest. Sometimes they're sharp pains; sometimes it's a dull ache. Sometimes it feels like it's my ribs, but much of the time it feels like it's my heart. Yet I had an EKG and an echocardiogram (ultrasound) done, and they both came back normal. My doctor seems confused and said "this is a strange case." She basically just told me to take a bunch of Ibuprofen.

 

Could gluten be giving me chest pains, by any chance? I didn't think so, but the pain had subsided a bit last week, then I ate a bunch of gluten this weekend and the pain is much worse again today. I don't know what to think...

You are not alone!  I think this is very common.  During my last trip to Mayo for follow-up on my celiac disease, I met a phlebotomist who had the same problem.  She was scared it was some kind of heart issue.  All of her tests were coming back negative.  She eventually found out she had celiac disease.  After a few months of eating gluten-free her symptom went away and has not returned since.

 

I had the exact same problem.  Saw a cardiologist and everything was fine.  After being on the diet for a few months those sharp sensations eventually went away.

bartfull Rising Star
bartfull
Posted

https://www.celiac.com/forums/topic/105835-mast-cell-activation-syndrome-mcas/

anti-soprano Apprentice
anti-soprano
Posted

I was diagnosed with acid reflux in September, but that's not what this is. I've had a lot of bad heartburn this fall, and the pain I'm having now is not heartburn, nor is it stomach pain. The sharp pains I'm having are directly behind my left breast, and the throbbing pains are directly under and also to the left of that breast. 

It seems that some people do have actual heart problems associated with their disease.  But I can tell you I had the exact same pains as you have experienced and have no diagnosed heart issues, despite several EKGs over the years before diagnosis and a stress test after diagnosis. The pains are mostly in the sides of my ribs and wrap around to the breast bone- running right under my breasts at times and sitting on my sternum others.  I have had them on both sides, but admittedly notice it more when it happens on the left due to fear about the heart.  

 

I had these pains for 10 years.  I tried pain killers and they did nothing.  I was on acid reflux meds for 6 of those ten years because I thought the pain was from GERD.  When I finally met the saintly GI doc who diagnosed me, the first thing she told me was the pain I was experiencing (as you described) was NOT acid reflux and I needed to go off my meds and have an accurate test.  The bravo implant test showed no reflux, but while she was down there, she biopsied my small intestine and viola!- celiac.

 

I sometimes still have these pains with no gluten.  I've researched it on the forum and there is another(!) autoimmune condition that simply causes inflammation of the cartilage where it attaches to the breastbone (sternum). Open Original Shared Link

Really, I just chalk it up to that since my heart has been tested many times.  There are a list of other illnesses that "feature costochondritis". Celiac is not listed but the others that are seem to be autoimmune related as well.  It's possible that many of us have it and it simply isn't documented yet.

 

Shellie

1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

I had some heart trouble before my diagnosis.  My blood pressure would plunge when I stood up.  My problem improved with supplements.  I feel these troubles were brought on by celiac.  I had a very nutritious diet, but my nutrient levels were low.

 

D 

anand Newbie
anand
Posted

Pl. rule out sarcoidosis ..it is another autoimmune which can occur along with celiac. Sarcoidosis can cause heart tissue damage..

A PET CT is needed to rule out any heart muscle damage... Ibubrufen works for sarcoidosis as do all NSAIDs... You doctor is probably guessing there maybe some autoimmune action taking place and that's why giving ibubrufen...

In short, ask ur doctor to rule out sarcoidosis and get a pet ct of heart if possible.

kellysensei Apprentice
kellysensei
Posted
  • Author

At my follow-up appointment yesterday, my doctor continued to insist it's not my heart, because of the normal tests. She can't say what IS causing my pain, though. She prescribed me an anti-inflammatory drug called Naproxen. Until I have time to pick it up, I'm taking Ibuprofen a few times a day (starting today; I'd really only taken it twice in the last two weeks). We'll see if either has any effect. Today the pain was mostly in my ribs instead of my breast or heart. It changes all the time; grrr.

 

Thanks for the responses; it's a bit comforting to know that other people have experience chest pains, too, and are still alive and well. LOL

anand Newbie
anand
Posted

Do u have any breathing problems..

kellysensei Apprentice
kellysensei
Posted
  • Author

Nope, no breathing problems, no nausea, dizziness, breathlessness, numbness, or anything like that. Exercise doesn't bother me. That's what makes all these pains so weird...

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. trents
      - trents replied to Charlie1946's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      9

      Severe severe mouth pain

      @Charlie1946, as an alternative to milk-based protein shakes, let me suggest whey protein. Whey and casein are the two main proteins found in milk but whey doesn't cause issues like casein can for celiacs.
    2. Charlie1946
      - Charlie1946 replied to Charlie1946's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      9

      Severe severe mouth pain

      @knitty kitty are you kidding? I had no idea about the casein!! No one ever mentioned that to me at all!! I basically live off that milk! I have also wondered if I have Sjorgen's , but I haven't been to the doctor yet. Can you get the TTFD over the counter? I do have dysphasia and I have lysine I just haven't been good about taking it. I am so glad I found...
    3. Charlie1946
      - Charlie1946 replied to Charlie1946's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      9

      Severe severe mouth pain

      @trents, Hi, thank you for the reply, I used to be pretty good at taking my vitamins and supplements, because I also have PCOS, I have Barrett's esophagus, it's just too expensive to have it stretched all the time, and I also get kinda panicked when trying to swallow pills because of getting choked a lot before. I think maybe the thrush made it worse, I...
    4. knitty kitty
      - knitty kitty replied to Charlie1946's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      9

      Severe severe mouth pain

      Oh, my dear! Get off that Fairlife chocolate protein shake! That's got milk in it! Egads! Some people with Celiac disease react to the protein Casein in dairy the same as to gluten with the inflammation and antibodies and all. Reacting to Casein is not the same as lactose intolerance. Damaged villi are incapable of producing lactAse, the enzyme...
    5. trents
      - trents replied to Charlie1946's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      9

      Severe severe mouth pain

      @Charlie1946, celiac disease damages the lining of the small bowel which is the part of the intestinal track where all our nutrition is absorbed. Celiac disease, therefore, often results in nutritional deficiency related health issues. In addition, you describe a diet that sounds largely devoid of fruits and vegetables and dairy (for calcium). This does not...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,900
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    sai4a
    Newest Member
    sai4a
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • trents
      Severe severe mouth pain

      By trents · Posted

      @Charlie1946, as an alternative to milk-based protein shakes, let me suggest whey protein. Whey and casein are the two main proteins found in milk but whey doesn't cause issues like casein can for celiacs. Concerning your question about celiac safe mental health facilities, unfortunately, healthcare facilities in general do not have good reputations for being celiac safe. Most celiacs find that they need to depend on family members to advocate for them diligently or bring in food from the outside. Training of staff is inconsistent and there is the issue of turnover and cross contamination.
    • Charlie1946
      Severe severe mouth pain

      By Charlie1946 · Posted

      @knitty kitty are you kidding?  I had no idea about the casein!! No one ever mentioned that to me at all!! I basically live off that milk! I have also wondered if I have Sjorgen's , but I haven't been to the doctor yet. Can you get the TTFD over the counter? I do have dysphasia and I have lysine I just haven't been good about taking it. I am so glad I found this group and all of you with all this helpful information!! I thought I was going crazy!!  I have sebaceous hyperplasia too- is that related to Celiac?  OH , and I wanted to ask if there is a site where I could find information on mental health issues , with celiac safe facilities??
    • Charlie1946
      Severe severe mouth pain

      By Charlie1946 · Posted

      @trents, Hi, thank you for the reply, I used to be pretty good at taking my vitamins and supplements, because I also have PCOS, I have Barrett's esophagus, it's just too expensive to have it stretched all the time, and I also get kinda panicked when trying to swallow pills because of getting choked a lot before.  I think maybe the thrush made it worse, I just can't figure out why I can't get it to go away 
    • knitty kitty
      Severe severe mouth pain

      By knitty kitty · Posted

      Oh, my dear!  Get off that Fairlife chocolate protein shake!  That's got milk in it!  Egads! Some people with Celiac disease react to the protein Casein in dairy the same as to gluten with the inflammation and antibodies and all.  Reacting to Casein is not the same as lactose intolerance.  Damaged villi are incapable of producing lactAse, the enzyme that digests lactOse, the sugar in dairy.  If the villi grow back, they can resume making lactase again.   I react to casein and lactose both.  I get sores in my mouth and coated tongue, and inflammation, my Dermatitis Herpetiformis flares up, I get cold sores or shingles, and TMJ pain, well, joint pain in general, and my brain health is really affected, depression and anxiety.  So dairy is a really scary horror movie.     I take Benfotiamine and Thiamine TTFD  (tetrahydrofurfuryl disulfide).  These have anti-viral properties.   I've had chicken pox/shingles, and I also harbor the cold sore herpes virus which traveled to one eye through a nerve. It's broken now.  I had really bad nerve pain in my check at the time, then it turned into Bell's Palsy.  Thiamine TTFD helped clear up the dysphagia I was also experiencing then.  I took lots of Lysine to fight the herpes viruses as well.  Between the Thiamine TTFD and the Lysine, and avoiding dairy, mine stays dormant for the most part.   I also take a B Complex, and Magnesium Threonate to help the Thiamine TTFD work, Vitamin C, Vitamins A and D, and Zinc supplements to help Thiamine TTFD fight off those viruses. I have Sjogren's so I understand dry eye and mouth.  I found including Omega Threes, healthy fats, improved my problem.  You know how oil floats on top of water?  That's going on in our body, too.  Flaxseed oil supplements, and flaxseed oil to use on food is one way I increased my Omega Threes.  Choline and sunflower seed oil supplements are other choices I've tried.  Eat real food!  Eat fresh vegetables and fruit!  I had cooked stew in a crockpot until super mushy so I could chew and swallow it without lots of pain.  I got a bag of mandarin oranges, Cuties, whatever they're called now.  They're not too acidic.  Gluten free crackers don't have any nutritional value, no vitamins.   I followed the low histamine version of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet.  The book The Paleo Approach by Dr. Sarah Ballantyne has been most helpful.  She's a Celiac herself, and the diet has been shown to improve intestinal health. I have seen liquid vitamins on line.  Thiamine TTFD comes in a capsule, but tastes really strongly of garlic, so be prepared if your Gatorade tastes funny.   
    • trents
      Severe severe mouth pain

      By trents · Posted

      @Charlie1946, celiac disease damages the lining of the small bowel which is the part of the intestinal track where all our nutrition is absorbed. Celiac disease, therefore, often results in nutritional deficiency related health issues. In addition, you describe a diet that sounds largely devoid of fruits and vegetables and dairy (for calcium). This does not bode well for good oral health or good health in general.  It can take two years or more for good healing of the lining of the small bowel after adopting a consistently gluten free diet. In the meantime, adding in good quality supplements can help compensate for poor nutritional absorption efficiency. Common over the counter vitamins and supplements are often optimized for shelf life rather than good assimilation/utilization by the body. We commonly recommend that those struggling with nutritional deficiencies start taking high potency B-complex, 5-10,000 IU of E daily, D3, Zinc and magnesium glycinate. They need to be checked to make sure they are gluten free since wheat starch can be used as a filler in pills and vitamins. Costco Kirkland Signature and Nature Made brands are often good choices. What is causing your swallowing problems? Is it the thrush?
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.