I have bilateral internal jugular vein stenosis. 87% compression on my dominant right side, and 86% compression on my left side. Is my elevated heart rate related to this? I’ve seen cardiologists and had tests done and they all say my heart is fine, but my heart rate goes quite high for doing simple tasks (and no it’s not POTS) like 160bpm in the shower or when I do physical therapy post hip surgery (just body weight squats and lunges. I have a surgery scheduled on May 11 to shave down the C1 and remove styloid but I was just wondering if anyone had any info on the increased heart rate and if it’s related. Thank you so much.
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Yes! Your increased heart rate is related, less to the IJV compression & more to vagus nerve irritation/compression. The vagus nerve “lives” in the carotid sheath w/ the IJVs & internal carotid arteries. When the IJVs are being squashed between your styloids & TPs of C1, the vagus nerve is also under pressure. I expect you’ll find the rapid heart rate symptom will subside once your IJV(s) are decompressed as the vagus will be freed then too.
I had an issue with my heart rate as one of my ES symptoms. When I’d exercise, my blood pressure would drop too low & my heart would beat like crazy to try to elevate blood pressure & oxygenate my body. I’d feel like I was going to pass out. It was pretty scary. That problem reduced dramatically after my right styloid was removed. I did not have IJV compression on the right side, but I must have had some styloid pressure on my vagus nerve regardless.
Do you mind telling us who is doing your surgery? I’ve put your surgery date on my calendar so I can pray for you that day.
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Thank you so much for your reply! It means the world to me. Yes I get that lightheaded feeling like I’m going to pass out as well when it happens. I’m really hoping it’s the vagus nerve and that it subsides once I get my surgery, I hate feeling like I have to worry about my heart. Fingers crossed. Dr. James Liu in Livingston, NJ is doing my surgery. Thank you for your prayers, that is so kind of you. I’m really going through it, it’s been 14 months of trying to get to the bottom of the plethora of health problems this has caused. Sooo many doctors dismissed me. 3 weeks can’t rush by quick enough now
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I’m really glad your surgery is coming up so soon. Dr. Liu has helped several of our members so you’re next!
It’s really rough to be dismissed/gaslit when you’re feeling so awful & the symptoms don’t seem to point to anything the doctors you see are familiar with. Even worse is their lack of willingness or interest in investigating to help find what’s going on. I’m glad you’ve finally got an answer.
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Thank you so much, may 11th can’t come soon enough I tell ya. I am really hoping my symptoms start fading away soon after the surgery. It’s really weighing on me that I might be waiting a while to start feeling like myself again
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Welcome @Burton35o, that is exciting you have your surgery date!
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Hi & welcome! Good news that you have a surgery date soon, I’ll pray for good results too… Don’t worry if you don’t see improvements straight away though, it can take the body a while to adjust to new blood flow to the brain, and for nerves to heal. There are lots of discussions about healing after surgery if you’re interested, & info in here:
ES Information- Treatment: Surgery - Welcome / Newbies Guide to Eagle Syndrome - Living with Eagle
Hope the next few weeks go quickly for you! 
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