I certainly know that there is a ton of research out there about the vagus nerve and heart health. I have been having SVT/Atrial Tachycardia issues since 2021. Incidentally, I also have a very large calcified mediastinal mass in my subcarinal nodes. It is from an old histoplasmosis infection and my body dealt with it by encapsulating the nodes in my chest, which became calcified from the disease process. It has grown about 1mm a year and is now, at last measurement, 33mm x 19mm. It is right in the middle of my chest. It is barely touching the pulmonary vein but my last CTA was normal, and there was no ill effects from the mass. It was an incidental finding and no one seems the least bit concerned about it. It is essentially a calcified lymph node from old exposure to histoplasmosis. I have questioned my EP about it several times and he doesn't think it is related to my arrhythmia.

I just cannot help but think about it, though, with my continued trouble, my weird rhythms, and the proximity of the calcification to my vagus nerve. Is there any way to actually test the health of the vagus nerve? I may be grasping at straws, but it is always in the back of my mind. Neither the EP or Cardiologist this it is related, but..... I just know how much the vagus nerve can affect the heart, and I also know this mass is smack dab in the middle of all the important stuff.

Just wondering if there is any solid way to test the nerve? MRI/MRA?

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MeganMN
Just wondering if there is any solid way to test the nerve? MRI/MRA?

Good question. This book, “Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagus Nerve Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism" by Stanley Rosenberg is in my Kindle library. It may have some info on the topic. I've yet to explore it fully (I have a very long list of things to explore). I do recall the author mentioning when he treated (manually, as I recall) the vagus nerve, patients with asthma had their symptoms regress. Also remember that he had a way to self test.

Thanks, George! That book looks awesome!! I'll look into a Kindle copy!

Megan