Are a Bitter Taste in Mouth and Heart Disease Linked?
by Anna Hart
Filed under Heart Disease Information
A bitter taste in mouth and heart disease are, in some people’s minds closely linked. This is especially true when chest pain accompanies that bitter taste. The person experiencing both signs may quickly suspect coronary disease and rush to seek information.
A bitter taste in mouth and heart disease are not usually linked, however. There are several other causes of bitter taste in the mouth.
Causes of Bitter Taste in Mouth
A bitter taste in mouth and heart disease are commonly connected when the taste is caused by heartburn or one of its companions, acid reflux, or GERD. The backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus can trigger an acid, bitter taste in the mouth. When heartburn causes a burning sensation in the chest, it is natural to wonder if there is a cardiovascular problem. Since heart attack is a possibility, you should seek help immediately if other heart attack symptoms are present.
Here are examples of other causes of bad tastes in the mouth, some of which are bitter. This list is not meant to be complete, and you are urged to ask your health care provider for a careful diagnosis.
* Gastritis - foul taste: Heart disease is likely not the cause of this bad taste.
* Dental problem – foul taste: There can be a link between periodontal disease and heart disease. Research shows that those with periodontal disease have almost double the risk of heart disease as those without periodontal disease. Check with your doctor.
* Heartburn – acid taste: As mentioned above, heart attack can sometimes be mistaken for heart attack. If you have a bitter, acid taste in your mouth, a burning sensation, and additional heart attack systems, seek help immediately.
* Jaundice – bitter taste: On rare occasions, jaundice is the first sign of heart disease. Talk to your doctor.
* Lead poisoning – metallic taste: One effect of lead poisoning is heart disease. If additional symptoms are present, seek help.
* Mercury poisoning – metallic taste: The author finds no link between mercury poisoning and heart disease, but recommends that you ask a licensed physician.
CAUTION: The information given here is for educational purposes only. Always seek prompt professional medical advice if bitter taste in mouth is accompanied by other symptoms, specific or vague.
I have developed a bitter taste in my mouth almost like a baking powder or chewing aspirin taste. My teeth seem to be very sensitive so I’ve switched to Sensodyne toothpaste. I have a slight tingling sensation to my tongue. Food tastes horrible to me and I have a lot of belching and flatchulance (sp) I don’t seem to have acid reflux as there is no buring with the belching or acid feel in my throat. This has been going on for about a month. I was horribly ill last weekend with violent vomiting and diahria which passed in 24 hours with the help of a compounded phenogren. My total and conj bili is slightly elevated as is my Na..nothing over the top just slightly abnormal. My lower abdomen seems irritable but no diahria. I thought it was a viral infection as I did develope a fever blister in the corner of my mouth(i’ve never had one before…)
Hi Debra,
Were you able to find out what was wrong? I’m experiencing the exact same thing right now.
I also am having a bitter or metallic taste in my mouth and have been using Crest sensitive toothpaste for about 3 weeks now. I wonder if it is an ingredient in the sensitive toothpaste. I know that this is possible with certain toothpastes, I just forgot about it until I read Debra’s comments. I am going to switch to a sery simple toothpaste and see if it helps.