In 2021, the following Article was published: Gastrointestinal diseases-induced cardiovascular dysfunction: Focus on clinical presentation, pathogenesis and therapeutic implications of gastrocardiac syndrome
Hofmann R, Bäck M. Gastro-Cardiology: A Novel Perspective for the Gastrocardiac Syndrome. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2021 Nov 17;8:764478. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.764478. PMID: 34869678; PMCID: PMC8635856.8:764478. doi:10.3389/fcvm.2021.764478.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cardiovascular-medicine/articles/10.3389/fcvm.2021.764478/full
Summary
In this perspective article, researchers from the Karolinska Institute revisit the concept of the gastrocardiac syndrome, first described by Ludwig von Roemheld in 1913.
The authors argue that the relationship between the digestive system and the cardiovascular system is often underestimated and deserves greater attention from both gastroenterologists and cardiologists. They propose the development of a new interdisciplinary field called Gastro-Cardiology, focused on conditions that affect both the gastrointestinal tract and the heart.
Rather than concentrating on the classic symptoms of Roemheld Syndrome such as palpitations, arrhythmias, bloating, or hiatal hernia, the article focuses on broader interactions between gastrointestinal and cardiovascular disease.
A major theme of the paper is chronic inflammation. The authors discuss how gastrointestinal disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease and chronic Helicobacter pylori infection, may contribute to cardiovascular disease through ongoing systemic inflammation. Several studies have reported associations between chronic gastrointestinal inflammation and an increased risk of atherosclerosis, heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions.
The paper also highlights the challenges faced by heart patients who require blood-thinning medications. While these treatments reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes, they can increase the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. The authors suggest that closer collaboration between cardiologists and gastroenterologists may improve patient care and outcomes.
Editor’s note: Why This Article Is Important
Many patients associate Roemheld Syndrome with symptoms such as palpitations, premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), arrhythmias, bloating, reflux, hiatal hernia, and possible vagus nerve involvement. This article does not primarily focus on those mechanisms.
Instead, the authors take a broader view and argue that gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases are more closely connected than traditionally recognized. They propose the development of a dedicated field called Gastro-Cardiology, bringing together expertise from both gastroenterology and cardiology to better understand, diagnose, and treat conditions that involve interactions between the digestive system and the heart.
Although the article discusses gastrocardiac syndrome, its main contribution is the idea that gut-heart interactions deserve greater scientific attention and a more integrated approach to patient care.
The emerging concept of Gastro-Cardiology is also a focus in this review article of 2026.