Patient's irregular heartbeat fixed with finger in unusual place
New York Post • • health
Key Points:
- A 29-year-old man from Queens experienced rapid heart palpitations at 140 bpm and was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AFib), a common type of arrhythmia where the heart's chambers are out of sync.
- During hospital admission, a routine digital rectal exam unexpectedly slowed his heart rate to 80 bpm and resolved the irregular heartbeat, likely by stimulating the vagus nerve.
- The vagus nerve, which connects the brain to major organs, can influence heart rate by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, counteracting the "fight or flight" response.
- The patient was also prescribed anticoagulants to prevent blood clots, and while traditional treatments for AFib include medication and electrical shock therapy, the rectal exam provided a rapid alternative effect.
- Although this case suggests vagus nerve stimulation via a rectal exam might help treat arrhythmias, further research is necessary before it can be considered a standard treatment option.
