Is there a connection with PN and heart attack?

Posted by tonyde @tonyde, Feb 15 10:00am

I have PN and have had a minor heart attack. Does anyone know if there is a connection between the two?

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Good question to discuss with your doctor and care team. There may be others with experience that can respond but I've been fortunate and not had a heart attack. I do have idiopathic small fiber PN and hypertension so take daily BP meds and I regularly take EKGs with a home Kardia device which mostly shows sinus rhythm with SVE so I do have some irregular heart beats. While you wait for others to respond, here's some information on the topic.

"Peripheral neuropathy can sometimes cause other medical problems, such as foot ulcers, heart rhythm changes and blood circulation problems. These complications vary depending on the underlying cause of the peripheral neuropathy."
--- Peripheral neuropathy - Complications: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/complications/

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Hello…like John said…a good question for your Dr. …presumably you’ve seen a cardiologist given you’ve had a small heart attack? From what I’ve read , neuropathy (autonomic)can affect heart rhythm. Neuropathy can also have a secondary negative affect on the heart as typically neuropathy can reduce one’s ability to get the exercise they used to get.
Best wishes to you.
Steve

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Out of the blue, about 6 years ago, around the same time I went from small fiber PN to then include large fiber PN, I developed a right bundle branch block of the heart. Of course, I said a what? No known heart issues with immediate family members. Primary doc caught it on a routine checkup and was referred to a cardiologist. Various tests confirmed right bundle branch block which apparently is not that uncommon. Tied to PN? Cardiologist was not sure. In my case, I think there is a connection to the PN because of the timing and other side effects. Ed

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@johnbishop

Good question to discuss with your doctor and care team. There may be others with experience that can respond but I've been fortunate and not had a heart attack. I do have idiopathic small fiber PN and hypertension so take daily BP meds and I regularly take EKGs with a home Kardia device which mostly shows sinus rhythm with SVE so I do have some irregular heart beats. While you wait for others to respond, here's some information on the topic.

"Peripheral neuropathy can sometimes cause other medical problems, such as foot ulcers, heart rhythm changes and blood circulation problems. These complications vary depending on the underlying cause of the peripheral neuropathy."
--- Peripheral neuropathy - Complications: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/complications/

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I had a stent for a "widow maker" blockage, 18 months before the heart attack. There is a family history of heart disease, however, I've been diet conscience most of my life because of it. Friends were surprised I had a blockage when I watch my diet so closely.

That makes me wonder, could PN affect digestion causing fat not to digest properly and accumulate in arteries.

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@njed

Out of the blue, about 6 years ago, around the same time I went from small fiber PN to then include large fiber PN, I developed a right bundle branch block of the heart. Of course, I said a what? No known heart issues with immediate family members. Primary doc caught it on a routine checkup and was referred to a cardiologist. Various tests confirmed right bundle branch block which apparently is not that uncommon. Tied to PN? Cardiologist was not sure. In my case, I think there is a connection to the PN because of the timing and other side effects. Ed

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I also had a blockage and now question if it could have been my PN impacting food digestion causing fat to build up in arteries. I've always eaten a heart healthy diet because of family history of heart disease.

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@njed

Out of the blue, about 6 years ago, around the same time I went from small fiber PN to then include large fiber PN, I developed a right bundle branch block of the heart. Of course, I said a what? No known heart issues with immediate family members. Primary doc caught it on a routine checkup and was referred to a cardiologist. Various tests confirmed right bundle branch block which apparently is not that uncommon. Tied to PN? Cardiologist was not sure. In my case, I think there is a connection to the PN because of the timing and other side effects. Ed

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I think you are right. The same thing happened to me. Just out of the blue.

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I have small fiber neuropathy and it affects the heart. I have bradycardia/tachycardia plus they can’t control my blood pressure. Not eligible for pacemaker or ICD. I do not have the nerves to jump start my heart when the arrhythmia occur. I BL has been so high 159/99 that I am falling getting dizziness. I was told by the electrophsiologist that once it’s in the heart you have approximately seven years left to live. I am currently having another one month holter monitor test because my medications are not working. I also have severe axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy. I don’t have feelings in my legs or hands. I keep cutting my fingers while cooking. So my husband forbids me to use knifes. One thing I learned recently is you get tremors sometimes my husband has to cut up my food and a couple of times was shaking so bad I could not feed myself. I also have problems choking related to the SFN.
SFN affects short nerves
Peripheral neuropathy affects long nerves

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@artemis1886

I have small fiber neuropathy and it affects the heart. I have bradycardia/tachycardia plus they can’t control my blood pressure. Not eligible for pacemaker or ICD. I do not have the nerves to jump start my heart when the arrhythmia occur. I BL has been so high 159/99 that I am falling getting dizziness. I was told by the electrophsiologist that once it’s in the heart you have approximately seven years left to live. I am currently having another one month holter monitor test because my medications are not working. I also have severe axonal sensorimotor polyneuropathy. I don’t have feelings in my legs or hands. I keep cutting my fingers while cooking. So my husband forbids me to use knifes. One thing I learned recently is you get tremors sometimes my husband has to cut up my food and a couple of times was shaking so bad I could not feed myself. I also have problems choking related to the SFN.
SFN affects short nerves
Peripheral neuropathy affects long nerves

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Really sorry to hear what you're going through, you have our prayers.

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