Re: Vagal Nerve

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on February 05, 1999 at 10:19:53:

In Reply to: Vagal Nerve posted by Pete on February 04, 1999 at 17:00:27:






A friend of mine was complaining of chest pain for several days.  Finally
after having numbness in her hand, she went to see a doctor.  Her EKG and
blood work came back fine.  The doctor feels her problem is due to stomach
acid aggravating her vagal nerve.  The treatment given was two medications
to reduce the stomach acid, Propulsid and another which I cannot remember.
Could you please explain to me how this problem could result in chest pain
and numbness?
Thank You
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Dear Pete
First of all, I cannot be sure that your friend does not have heart disease - normal blood work and a normal EKG do not exclude the possibility of serious heart disease. Acid in the stomach, however, can also cause chest pain. This is especially true with acid reflux into the food pipe, called the esophagus. This should not really cause numbness.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.