hiatal hernia proximity to heart

[cynthiaG]

I was reading that a hiatal hernia (lower end of esophagus leading into the stomach) is in close proximity to the heart. I found out 2 weeks ago that I have a small hiatal hernia....I also read that you can get pains that people misinterpret as heart related, but in fact, it is hernia related...since we have such big hearts, us HCMers, I wonder if it could be touching my heart?

[shirleymahoney]

Cynthia

That would be a good question for your doctor next time you see him, i often wonder if i have the same problem, and so i think I'm going to add this to my list of questions for the doctor because i have difficulty swallowing everyday seems it gets stuck in my esophagus

Shirley

[Laoshur]

I don't know the answer as to whether the hernia could touch the heart, although it is unlikely since the heart is in a fluid-filled pericardial sac. But, I do have a documented hiatal hernia and GERD with some narrowing of the esphagus. The doctor put me on a double dose of Aciphex for a few weeks to see if any of my chest and below the breast pain disappeared. It did not. But I noticed a difference in indigestion at night. The insurance company refused to pay for a double dose, so after a couple of weeks, I went to a single dose, which I now take. Both my generalist and my gasterenterologist concluded that that pretty much answered the question as to whether the pain was digestive or not. It is not.

When I saw the gasterenterologist a couple of weeks ago, he told me that I could also use Prilosec OTC, if it was cheaper. It will be when my current Aciphex runs out, so I will get this the next time I come home.

So, if my experience is any indicator, if you know you have problems with this, why not try Prilosec to see if it helps. Apparently, whether it helps the pain or not is sufficient evidence as to wether GERD is the cause of the pain.

Rhoda