Rapid Heartbeat
Rapid heartbeat can be a symptom of gallstones, and it’s something that is commonly overlooked. In a healthy body, the heart rate increases when one exercises or experiences an adrenal rush, like when stressed or frightened. In some cases, however, an increased heart rate can be caused by arrhythmia. This irregular beating can be triggered by gallstones.
The presence of gallstones causes the formation of cholesterol-containing stones within the gallbladder, which then pass from the gallbladder into the small intestine through a connective tube called the cystic duct. When these stones move through the duct system, they can cause blockages that prevent bile flow from the liver to the cardiovascular system. This blockage can cause a decreased amount of bile in the body, which triggers an increase in heart rate as the body tries to compensate for this loss.
Because an irregular heartbeat can be a sign of gallstones, a doctor will typically diagnose it by listening to the patient’s heart, letting them go about their symptoms, and then doing a physical examination followed by lab tests.
