Actor Vikas Sethi had ‘vomiting and loose motions’ before passing away due to cardiac arrest: Is there a link between digestive issues and heart health? | Health News

But what is the link between digestive troubles like vomiting, loose motions, and cardiac health?

Cardiac arrest is a serious health complication that, in some cases, can lead to fatalities. That’s why it’s important to notice early warning signs and symptoms. According to Dr Anand Ram, consultant interventional cardiologist at Wockhardt Hospitals Mira Road, symptoms like nausea, vomiting-like sensation, and loose motions for extended periods can be warning signs that your heart is not functioning properly.

Dr Ram stressed that symptoms like vomiting and loose motions can sometimes be more than just normal gastrointestinal issues. “It can manifest symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, discomfort, cold sweat, fatigue, feeling suffocated, sudden collapse, and loss of consciousness,” said Dr Ram.

The classical symptom of heart attack (myocardial infarction) is chest pain, said consultant neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar, Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad. However, chest pain may be absent in 8-33 per cent of cases of a heart attack, he added.

“In the case of actor Vikas, as per doctors, he most likely suffered cardiac arrest during sleep (which was most likely caused by a heart attack), A heart attack may present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and loose stools, mimicking diseases such as gastroenteritis or acid peptic disease. These symptoms are more common in inferior myocardial infarction, caused by blockage of the right coronary artery,” explained Dr Kumar.

Let’s understand more about cardiac arrest (Source: Freepik)

When the blood flow to the heart is abruptly disrupted, your body initiates stress responses that affect your digestive health and result in diarrhea and episodes of vomiting.

“However, these symptoms can also be related to several underlying health issues that may significantly impact your heart. This can include health issues like allergic reactions due to certain medications prescribed by a doctor, being overly stressed, anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal problems, food poisoning, peptic ulcers, or inflammatory bowel disease. If these symptoms persist for over a few hours, even after adequate rest, immediately consult a doctor for timely intervention and diagnosis. They may examine your condition and the symptoms experienced to determine its root cause,” said Dr Ram.

In patients presenting without chest pain, a diagnosis of heart attack is often missed or delayed, Dr Kumar noted.

However, there should be a strong suspicion of a heart attack in people with risk factors such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol if a smoker, male, etc., asserted Dr. Kumar.

An April 2016 review in the Circulation journal from the American Heart Association suggests “convincing evidence that involvement of the gastrointestinal system and liver in heart failure is independently associated with poor outcome.” It notes that “Recognising the clinical and pathophysiological importance of gastrointestinal symptoms should be part of the routine evaluation of heart failure. ”

When in doubt, an ECG and blood test can confirm a diagnosis of a heart attack. “Timely diagnosis and treatment of heart attack can save lives,” said Dr Kumar.

DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.