sogagal

can pinched nerves in the c-spine and T-spine cause Atrial fib and esaphageal spasms?

[Sirenet]

Going to watch for answers on your question as it interests me. I broke my neck in head-on MVA, and was back in hosp a few months later with A-fib for a few days.... Thought that i would mention the coincidence to you.

[va_tony]

Yes, I think the vagus nerve has been damaged along with the spine, it can cause afib and esopageal spasms in "some" people. If your vagal tone decreases, your heart rate will go up and with it a tendency for arrhythmias IMO.

[va_tony]

I meant to write "Yes, I think IF the vagus nerve has been damaged along with the spine, it can cause afib and esophageal spasms in some people."

[sogagal]

I was not injured but have extensive spondylosis and degenerative disc disease in the entire spine. A recent ct scan of the t spine shows almost no disc material and lots of osteophytes. The report says there are two prominent central osteophytes at c-7 and t-1. It says there is no significant cord impingement. All of the vetebra have lots of osteophytes but they are not central. I feel that probably almost all nerves are affected from being compressed as the exit. I have lots of pain from it all but the eso. spasms and a-fib are recent developments.

[Sirenet]

Very interesting to me!  I have permanent damage to c-7 nerve root ( bone frag from vert smashed into ad lodged in nerve canal until it was removed). Is this an area affecting the vegus nerve? Plan on researching myself. Thanks for info. ( I now have numerous arrhythmia problems).  Wish you well

[va_tony]

I think the vagus nerve is alongside the vertabrae in the neck. Wikipedia has a diagram showing the location of the vagus nerve.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/344956

also, there was some discussion on the Heart Rhythym Expert Forum about arrhythmias/afib caused by vagal nerve damage. In that discussion, the damage was not assumed associated with the spine.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/344956

There is a also condition called servical cardiac syndrome (also called neck arrhythmia) connected to vagal disfunction.

http://mechanicalintroduced.com/middleaged-people-guard-cervical-cardiac-syndrome/

[Sirenet]

Thanks again for info.  I did find much info from your prompting.  I continue to be amazed, the more I am learning of the human body ( incredible how we take out health for granted, until.....) Boy was Socrates right or what, the more we learn, we realize that we don't know anything, lol....   Enjoy your evening