CareIMO

I get lightheaded and my heart races after eating, is that normal?

Hello! The combination of symptoms you are describing often referred to as post prandial symptoms can have several reasons including hypotension after e...

Internal Medicine - 1 replies - 1 verified provider replies

Question

For the past couple months I've noticed that after eating a meal, especially a bigger one, my heart rate jumps up and I feel lightheaded and kind of foggy for about 30-45 minutes. I checked my heart rate during one of these episodes and it was around 110 just sitting on the couch. Before eating it was in the low 70s. No chest pain, no fainting, it just feels uncomfortable and weird.

What a provider said

I mentioned it briefly to my doctor at my last visit and she said it could be related to blood flow shifting to my digestive system after eating. She didn't seem too worried but didn't really explore it further either.

Context

It happens more with carb-heavy meals like pasta or rice. Smaller meals don't seem to trigger it as much. I'm not diabetic as far as I know but I haven't had bloodwork done in about 2 years.

Discussion replies

Iman Makki, MD - Verified provider

Hello! The combination of symptoms you are describing often referred to as post prandial symptoms can have several reasons including hypotension after eating as the body shifts the blood flow towards the digestive Tract, blood sugar shift as the body releases insulin after a high carb or sugary meal which can cause the blood sugar to drop causing palpitations and dizziness, certain food insensitivities or additives can lead to adrenaline release triggering such symptoms after eating and/or “dumping syndrome” which is when food moves rapidly from the stomach to the small intestine causing a rapid fluid shift into the gut leading to low blood pressure and compensatory palpitations. While these episodes maybe be benign having palpitations should always be evaluated by a provider to rule out any serious heart issues. Also look out for red flag symptoms that would require immediate medical attention such as chest pain/pressure, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, wheezing, confusion or other severe symptoms.

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