Could a hiatal hernia really kill you?

Yes, but it's rare: Hiatal hernia is more likely the older you get ; can exist without symptoms.Hiatal hernia can have symptoms associated with reflux--hearburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing.Long history of reflux can result in changes in the esophagus leading to bleeding, scarring, or cancer.Rarely, hiatal hernia becomes paraesophageal hernia (part of stomach alongside esophagus in chest) ; is life threatening.