Roemheld Syndrome also called gastro-cardiac syndrome or gastric-cardia syndrome is a condition where gastrointestinal disturbances trigger heart-related symptoms.
The core of the syndrome lies in excessive gas accumulation or other digestive issues in the stomach or intestines. This buildup can irritate the Vagus nerve, which connects the digestive system and the heart. The irritation may lead to abnormal stimulation of the heart — resulting in symptoms such as palpitations, chest discomfort, rhythm abnormalities or breathlessness.
Often, Roemheld Syndrome treatment in India is associated with conditions like Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), gastritis, or motility disorders of the gut.
Common Causes & Triggers
The factors that may contribute to Roemheld Syndrome include:
- Gas buildup and poor digestion: Impaired digestion or slow gut motility can lead to gas accumulation, which increases intra-abdominal pressure and may stimulate the vagus nerve.
- Gastrointestinal disorders: Conditions like GERD, gastritis, IBS, gastroparesis or small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) may underlie the syndrome.
- Hiatal hernia or structural displacement: In some cases, anatomical changes in the digestive system may exert pressure on the stomach and nearby organs, triggering symptoms.
- Diet and eating habits: Overeating, eating gas-producing foods (e.g. certain vegetables, legumes, carbonated drinks), eating too fast, or swallowing excess air can provoke symptoms.
- Stress and psychological factors: Anxiety, stress or panic can worsen digestion or trigger gut-heart reflexes — making symptoms more likely.
Symptoms of Roemheld Syndrome Treatment
Because Roemheld Syndrome affects both the digestive and cardiovascular systems, symptoms can vary often overlapping with heart disorders or anxiety. Commonly observed signs include:
- Palpitations, irregular heartbeat or arrhythmia
- Chest pain or heaviness, discomfort in the chest
- Shortness of breath or breathing difficulty
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
- Abdominal discomfort, bloating, belching, gas
- Heartburn, acid reflux
- Fatigue, general weakness
- Fluctuations in blood pressure or a sense of “racing heart” after meals
- Sometimes panic-attack–like symptoms: anxiety, sweating, hot flashes
Because these symptoms often mimic cardiac disease — yet structural heart findings may be normal diagnosing Roemheld Syndrome requires careful clinical evaluation.
How is Roemheld Syndrome Diagnosed?
There is no single definitive test for Roemheld Syndrome. Instead, diagnosis is typically made by a combination of:
- Detailed medical history (onset, relation to meals, foods, digestion, timing of symptoms)
- Physical examinationboth cardiac and digestive evaluation
- Cardiac investigations (e.g. ECG, Holter monitor) to exclude true structural heart disease or serious heart conditions.
- Gastro-intestinal investigations, where indicated such as endoscopy, abdominal ultrasound or other imaging, to assess for reflux, hernia or digestive disorders.
- Close correlation between eating or digestive disturbance and heart symptoms since Roemheld’s episodes often coincide with meals, bloating, gas or reflux.
Only after excluding other cardiac diseases should a diagnosis of Roemheld Syndrome be considered.
Treatment Approach: Lifestyle, Diet & Medical Care
Treating Roemheld Syndrome usually involves addressing the root digestive issues and reducing triggers rather than “fixing the heart.”
Here’s the typical management plan:
Dietary Modifications
- Avoid gas-producing foods: beans, cabbage, onions, carbonated drinks, and other foods known to cause bloating.
- Eat smaller, more frequent meals instead of large meals — to reduce likelihood of gas accumulation or reflux.
- Chew food slowly and avoid swallowing excess air.
- Maintain hydration, include easily digestible foods (lean proteins, cooked vegetables, whole grains) avoid heavy, hard-to-digest meals.
Lifestyle Adjustments
- Avoid lying down immediately after meals; stay upright for a while to reduce reflux or pressure on diaphragm.
- Engage in light physical activity, gentle walking; avoid heavy lifting or straining abdomen.
- Manage stress, anxiety: practice relaxation techniques or breathing exercises. Stress can worsen digestive issues and trigger symptoms.
Medical Treatment
- If there is associated reflux or gastritis: acid-suppressing medications (e.g. antacids or proton-pump inhibitors) may help.
- Pro-motility agents may be used if digestion or gastric motility is impaired — to improve stomach emptying and reduce gas buildup.
- Gas-relief medications (simethicone or similar) can relieve bloating or abdominal pressure.
- In case of structural issues like hiatal hernia or other contributing anatomical causes surgical intervention may be needed (after proper evaluation).
- Psychological support (if stress, anxiety or panic contribute significantly) may help including counseling or stress-management therapy.
How EdhaCare Can Help
If you suspect you may have Roemheld Syndrome especially after a pattern of digestive distress and heart-like symptoms EdhaCare can guide you through the entire journey: from initial consultation to specialist evaluation, diagnostic testing, treatment planning and follow-up care.
- We help you connect with qualified gastroenterologists and cardiologists who are familiar with gastro-cardiac interactions.
- We assist in scheduling necessary diagnostic investigations (cardiac and gastrointestinal) to rule out serious heart disease and properly identify any digestive triggers.
- We support personalized diet and lifestyle plans to reduce gas, reflux and other digestive issues.
- If needed, we help coordinate treatment whether medical therapy or surgical intervention and ensure follow-ups for long-term management.
With a tailored, holistic approach, many patients see relief from palpitations, chest discomfort, breathlessness and other distressing symptoms and return to daily life without fear of “heart-problems.
Conclusion
Roemheld Syndrome reminds us how closely our digestive system and heart can be linked. Bloating, gas, reflux or poor digestion may unexpectedly cause palpitations, chest pain or breathlessness. While its diagnosis can be tricky and often requires ruling out structural heart disease, careful evaluation, dietary and lifestyle changes, and appropriate medical or surgical care can significantly improve quality of life.
If you experience unexplained heart symptoms especially after meals or with digestive discomfort don’t ignore them. With EdhaCare’s support, you can explore whether Roemheld Syndrome is the culprit and get the right help.

Comments