The Role of Hiatal Hernia in the Differential Diagnosis of Gastrointestinal and Cardiac Disease

Abstract

Hiatal hernia, a great mimic of other lesions, is one of the most common causes of substernal and upper abdominal complaints in middle-aged and older persons, and frequently is associated with angina pectoris, degenerative cardiovascular disease, gallbladder disease or peptic ulcer. Concomitant hiatal hernia and peptic ulcer can result in complications such as reflux esophagitis, esophageal ulcer and stenosis; hiatal hernia associated with coronary artery disease can precipitate angina.