Neck injury causing palpitations?

[questionnone]

Hello,
Does anyone know if a neck injury can cause palpitations because of the vagus nerve? I dove under a wave and went into the sand diagonally a few years ago where I heard my neck crack and my teeth went numb for about a minute. My neck was sore/aching a little for a few days following that but it went away. One thing I noticed is that I can no longer crack my neck, I use to be able to but when speaking to doctors they tell me that I probably just have corrected my neck (what a chiropractor would of done) but I don't think the numb teeth and pain are normal. I am wondering if I can have some bone/muscle problems in my neck right now like if it is crooked or something and is causing irritation of the vagus nerve.

[jeffto]

Hi I have a similar problem . I have bad wear and tear in my neck and when it plays up bad I get heart palpitations it can happen any time when my neck is bad I also have pulsative tinitis I've seen many doctors but know one can sort it

[RachRN]

Interesting. I am a nurse and am embarrassed to say I had not really put two and two together on this before. I hurt my neck when I fell in 2012, double whiplash and thoracic outlet Syndrome.  Recently fell on my back patio, tripped really. Landed on my knees and again caught myself with my left hand. Over the past day or two my neck and shoulders have been stiffening pretty badly and tonight while laying in bed those palpitations came back. I had a couple drinks earlier so thought maybe that was the cause but makes more sense it is irritation of the nerves in my neck and/or thoracic outlet area as my left arm has been hurting again like when I was injured in 2012. Back then my arms would turn blotchy purplish and go numb here and there. I also noticed I am putting my arms above my head when I sleep again (relieves neck pain and pressure). Going to try light stretching and putting flexall on my neck n shoulders and see if it helps for now. Glad I searched out the site and saw your responses.

[Teerav]

I don't know the answer but am in a very similar situation. Ive been experiencing regular PVCs,pacs, and short interval psvt since a fall where i hit the back of my head and herniated, C5/c6 and C6/C7. I also have slight vertigo, confusion, and  left arm and leg numbness/weakness upon standing. Turns out I also have a thoracic herniation and neurogenic thoracic outlet. Let me know if you have found any informationy or help with this. I'm particularly interested as to whether or not the thoracic/cervical issues could be including the heart palpitations. Thanks

[aazzy77]

What was done to fix your thoracic nerve issue? Do you have anymore heart issues? I am experiencing similar problems. I have horrible palpitations and some chest pain. I've had a number of EKGs and a stress test... all normal. But my left hand is totally numb and when I tip my head forward to my chest, my left leg and arm go numb. Any help would be appreciated

[RubySlipppers]

aazzy77... It looks like many of these posts were from 2010 but some of the symptoms were so similar to mine that I read through to see if they'd found a common cause. Over the past 2 years I've had sudden racing heartbeat with dizziness and I'm lightheaded. My bp shoots up (I don't normally have high bp). I've had a couple of scares that were so intense that I went to the ER. My bp was very high and they gave me Ativan. I've had a stress test, CT scan, blood tests and x-rays and they have come back normal. It's difficult to get a doctor to admit that chiropractic issues can cause medical problems. I've been to a chiropractor for several years but it seems not to be as effective as it used to be. I have also gone for massages - we have a massage school nearby and they're inexpensive and eager to help research the culprit. That also helps but of course temporarily. I have a friend who dealt with similar issues and after an mri found she had bone spurs in her neck and she had them shaved down which helped. I did have an mri and waiting for results. My doctor at first kept saying it was stress and anxiety but when these episodes happen it's normally when I'm sitting and somewhere and nothing stressful is happening. I'd love to hear if anything has helped or if you find anything. I actually got on because it happened today and I said, I've got to find out what's going on. Good luck and stay in touch if you hear of anything!

[ferret5]

I was so glad to see that you had found a doctor who actually said thoracic nerve problems could cause tachycardia. I have been having episodes for a couple of years now. I was sure I had a thoracic herniation, which proved to be the case. I also had herniations, bone spurs, etc on my neck. I have always been convinced that the cause of these episodes is from my thoracic or c-spine. I had a full cardiac work-up and no cause was found which just makes me think even more that I was right all along.

[questionnone]

Update. A doctor who emailed me back explained to me that the thoracic nerve can be a role in tachycardia as well. He's treated patients for thoracic problems their heart rhythms were corrected.

[questionnone]

Update guys! So two chiropractors emailed me back so far and pretty much the short answer is to go in for their free(depending on the chiropractor) for the consultation. One chiropractor out of the two did give more information than the first where he explained that he did hear and read about certain spine injuries(neck) causing heart problems. The only way to know is to get it checked out (i have been putting it off for years now, i don't suffer from TOO much pain *knock on wood* but i feel as though my neck isn't normal). I do want to give a caution, I advise you to see a well respected chiropractor because from what the other chiropractor told me, there was a story where this chiropractor unsuccessfully cracked this patient's neck and it made her dizziness and PACs/PVCs get worse. i might give this a try because the chiropractor said they would be covering some details in the consultation and only if they found evidence of a herniated disk or something then they would contact my primary, but otherwise if they do not start treatment then there is no charge.

[mel48]

High, Just read your post.  I once read an article written by a chiropractor that said the atlas (the very top of the spine where it enters the cranium) can cause many symptoms if it is out of adjustment.  One of the symptoms mentioned was PAC's in particular.  There are chiropractor specialists called NUCCA chiropractors that deal with this particular problem exclusively.  It is done by non-force on specially designed tables.  Montel Williams visited one of these chiropractors to help with his multiple sclerosis.  People with fibromyalgia also can benifit according to the aritcle.  Might be something to investigate.
Mel48

[donna80]

Wow I never thought that the neck can cause palps but upon Reading your post I an thinking perhaps I am suffering similar. I hurt my neck I get headaches and lots of palps. So I am interested to know. Thankyou. I do hope we find an answer

[questionnone]

Hey guys just wanted to update this post. So after speaking with several doctors it seems as though Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia is considered uncommon and even though many people have it, the condition is still not 100% understood. So when considering reasons that causes Inappropriate Sinus Tachycardia the sinus node can be at fault but also other unknown factors. I have emailed several chiropractors to see what they have to say and I will post their replies here when I get them :)

[questionnone]

Yes, my teeth went tingly/numb for a little bit but they went back to normal. The palpitations can be PVC and PAC throughout the day and symptoms of a psvt episode, I am currently waiting to take tests at the cardiologist to see what it can be. I actually just spoke with another doctor who says that a neck injury or surgery that actually damages the nerve can have an increase in heart rate however if it were to be irritated or just pinched by a neck injury it would actually slow your heart rate down because it is being stimulated, kind of like you stimulating a vasalva maneuver during a svt episode.

[Jerry_NJ]

Sorry I can't give you any direct experience, but I ask as the answer may help others.

You say your teeth went numb for a minute.  Does that mean yo no longer have any such symptoms?  

You didn't give any details on the palpitations.  Were they diagnosed by a medical exam, or is that your appraisal?  What type of palpatations, and when?

In general I't think a neck injury could cause a lot of problems, the spine is a very critical and complex nerve highway... so I think it is possible that such an injury could cause problems... but I am not arguing with your doctor.