Re: Esophageal Varicose Veins?

My 66-year-old brother in law recently ended up in the hospital diagnosed with a 'mild' heart attack [yes, this is my husband's brother ... genetic?]

No, heart disease is not hereditary.

as well as esophageal varicose veins, which cause him to lose about two pints of blood when one of them burst. I have never heard of this.

Probably because it is not that common.

From what the docs say, and what I've tried to research online, the 'cause' of esophageal varicose veins is cirrhosis of the liver. He rarely drinks and has never smoked. However he HAS been on Lipitor for years. That's about all I know of his meds and lifestyle.

Lipitor can definitely damage the liver.

Docs are going to put in a stent in his left heart blood vessel once he's gets his strength back from all the blood loss. Funny this is, about a year ago, he and his wife had their hearts examined with some fancy machine and they were both told their heart vessels were clean!

Can you give me any insight or knowledge about this esophageal varicose veins/cirrhosis of the liver thing? Thanks!

Cirrhosis is not the only cause.  Although it is is mainly seen in alcoholics chronic acid reflux can also lead to esophageal varices.  So can a blood clot blocking the portal or splenic vein.