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Can Foraminal Narrowing Of My Cervical Spine Cause Low Irregular Heart Beat?

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Posted on Tue, 26 Mar 2024
Question: can foraminal narrowing my cervical spine can low irregular heart beat?
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Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Welcome and thank you for asking us!

Regarding your concern, I would explain that foraminal narrowing in the cervical spine do not cause irregular heart beat directly.

But, the pain arising from this nerve compression, may activate the autonomic nervous system, leading to heart rate fluctuations (tachycardia and bradycardia).

The nerve roots in this region are not related to the heart function. The parasympathetic nerve (vagus nerve) arises in the lower brainstem and it is not related to the foramina in the cervical spine.

While the sympathetic nervous system arises in the lower cervical spine (C8-T1), and may be affected by foraminal narrowing if the narrowing is in this region.

Hope you will find this information helpful!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (22 hours later)
Looking at my MRI, it noted: C4-5:DiscDisc osteophyte complex, with rigr-sideddisc extrusion, indenting the right side of the cord with some deformity on the cord. Moderate canal narrowing moderate to severe right foraminal narrowwing. Any of this could add to the irregular heart issues?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (15 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Thank you for the additional information!

These changes in the cervical spine are not related to cardiac arrhythmia, as there is no autonomic nerve issue in this region.

But the nerve compression may cause pain and the pain may activate the autonomic nervous system (which is a normal physiological response), leading to heart rate changes during the pain.

Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!

Wishing all the best,

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9545 Questions

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Can Foraminal Narrowing Of My Cervical Spine Cause Low Irregular Heart Beat?

Brief Answer: I would explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome and thank you for asking us! Regarding your concern, I would explain that foraminal narrowing in the cervical spine do not cause irregular heart beat directly. But, the pain arising from this nerve compression, may activate the autonomic nervous system, leading to heart rate fluctuations (tachycardia and bradycardia). The nerve roots in this region are not related to the heart function. The parasympathetic nerve (vagus nerve) arises in the lower brainstem and it is not related to the foramina in the cervical spine. While the sympathetic nervous system arises in the lower cervical spine (C8-T1), and may be affected by foraminal narrowing if the narrowing is in this region. Hope you will find this information helpful! Kind regards, Dr. Iliri