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What Does This MRI Report Indicate?
Question: I had an MRI that showed the following; foraminal narrowing of the c2-c3, C4 , c5,c6,c7, disc bulge at c5-6, as well as disc bulge at C7-T1. I have also experienced irregular heartbeat. I had a EKG at the ER was normal. Can the neck issue cause an irregular heartbeat?
Brief Answer:
No.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
The answer to your question is straightforward, no, these cervical issues don't cause irregular heartbeat.
Do get evaluated further about heart issues with 24-48 hours continuous ambulatory ECG ( Holter ).
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Take Care.
Greetings.
No.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for using HCM.
I have read your question and understand your concerns.
The answer to your question is straightforward, no, these cervical issues don't cause irregular heartbeat.
Do get evaluated further about heart issues with 24-48 hours continuous ambulatory ECG ( Holter ).
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Take Care.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Some at Mayo Clinic have issued a study that the vagus nerve could be affected from herves within the cervical spine. Also some in the medical profession have studied how the vagus nerve could affect heartbeat from GERD. Is this incorrect for either cervical issue or GERD?
Brief Answer:
It is not your case.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Vagus nerve arises from lower brainstem and passes through the neck.
It is thought that upper cervical spinal cord compression may affect vagus nerve too, but, in your case, there is only foraminal narrowing and discs bulges that do not compress spinal cord and do not cause additional mielomalatia.
in other words, your spinal cord is not damaged.
hope this helps.
Greetings.
It is not your case.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Vagus nerve arises from lower brainstem and passes through the neck.
It is thought that upper cervical spinal cord compression may affect vagus nerve too, but, in your case, there is only foraminal narrowing and discs bulges that do not compress spinal cord and do not cause additional mielomalatia.
in other words, your spinal cord is not damaged.
hope this helps.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
What about the second issue mentioned. Does GERD affect the vagus nerve and produce irregular heartbeat?
Brief Answer:
Other causes to exclude first.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
GERD may cause palpitations that may be mistaken for irregular heart beats.
Branches of the vagus nerve that supply the heart exit before the branches that supply gastroesophageal sphincter, so, it is very unlikely that irritation of the vagus by GERD to cause irregular heartbeats, but cannot be excluded entirely as a possibility.
If all other possible causes of arrhythmias are evaluated and excluded, then GERD may be a possible explanation.
Greetings.
Other causes to exclude first.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
GERD may cause palpitations that may be mistaken for irregular heart beats.
Branches of the vagus nerve that supply the heart exit before the branches that supply gastroesophageal sphincter, so, it is very unlikely that irritation of the vagus by GERD to cause irregular heartbeats, but cannot be excluded entirely as a possibility.
If all other possible causes of arrhythmias are evaluated and excluded, then GERD may be a possible explanation.
Greetings.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar
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