Q. When lidocaine is given as a heart medication, does the entire chest go numb?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
No, lidocaine is not a strong enough anesthetic to cause complete numbness in the chest. However, it can be used to provide localized relief from pain in certain areas of the chest. Studies have shown that lidocaine can reduce myocardial infarction-related ischemic pain, as well as angina-related chest pain caused by increased oxygen demand on cardiac muscle due to physical activity or emotion. Localized use of lidocaine for cardiac causes has been found to work because its effects are limited in scope and duration without significant systemic absorption (as compared with other medication such as opioid analgesics). The drug inhibits sodium influx into nerve cells, thereby reducing conduction frequencies and amplitudes throughout myocardium, resulting in decreased excitability and diminished sensory impulses leading to a reduction of anginal episodes. Not only does this have clinical benefits for people suffering from heart conditions; it also offers unique insight into how drugs help treat different forms of cardiovascular disease.