Dizziness

[jcat2006]

Hi Everyone,

My husband had his aortic root replaced in January 2006 and following surgery was on a ton of meds until the end of February 2006. Now he is just on Metoprolol and Coumadin.

For about 3 weeks he has been having dizzy spells. He does not actually pass out, but just feels dizzy for a few seconds. He went to his cardio and he said he is fine and the dizziness is probably not related to his heart, but could be stress or anxiety. He also told him to take half of his Metoprolol pill per day instead of the full dose.

I just wanted to see if anyone has experienced dizziness from these medications or after an aortic root replacement.

His surgery did not go all that smoothly and there were some complications. His team of doctors could not all agree on what they thought happened to him, but when they were finally able to take him off the breathing machine, five days after surgery, he was unable to move his left side. Thankfully he has made a full recovery and is now running on the treadmill in his cardiac rehab. The lack of a full diagnostic has always bothered me, but I have learned that issues with heart surgery are not all black and white. However, the dizziness is really concerning me and it makes me nervous that the cardio was not more concerned.

Am I over reacting?

Thanks,

Jen

 

[Superbob]

Jen, I had an aortic root/valve replacement, and still take several meds, most of which say on the label "may cause dizziness or drowsiness." I have occasional small episodes of feeling off balance but actually FEWER, I think, than I had BEFORE the surgery. With me, the culprit may be a long-standing inner ear problem rather than any of the meds. Dizziness can have many causes, and certainly anxiety can be one of them. However, if the problem persists, I'd press the cardio for further evaluation or a referral to another specialist. Being on the breathing tube for five days must have been a real bummer, but I don't know how it would be related to dizzy spells now.

Of course this is only the opinion of a medical "consumer," not a professional. Good luck -- hope the problem clears up soon.

 

[Georgia]

Metoprolol can cause this. And I had trouble with similar mild dizziness for about a year after surgery. The cardio said about the same thing. Metoprolol was reduced, and since the dizziness I exerienced was almost always from standing up (i.e., weeding), she told me to be careful. Thanks, doc!

Anyway, the episodes went away. I think the healing heart must have trouble keeping the bp regular in some people. Incidentally, I had no complications from surgery. I think that since your hubby has been seen by his cardio, and meds reduced, he shouldn't worry as long as the dizziness doesn't get worse or last longer.

 

[Barbara Stewart]

Jcat

Jcat

I had my mitral valve replaced and a redo in January. I have had a few episodes of dizziness including one where I felt like I was going to pass out, but didn't. I haven't had anymore, but they seem to come when I'm pushing myself and am tired. Once they're gone, that's it.

Georgia gave good advice, just watch it. I know how you feel, though. Once your body, or your loved one's body has had such a rough time, it is hard not to overreact. You didn't expect all the bad after effects and now it's hard to trust that everything will work out.

Keep in touch.

Barbara

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Hello Jen,

There are MANY posts about dizzy spells or dizzyness with several different causes. (do a SEARCH for "dizzy" to find them all).

One member mentioned his were traced to several skipped heart beats in a row and he eventually received a pacemaker. Do you have a stethoscope? That is VERY helpful in listening to his heartbeat for irregularities, skipped beats, or rapid heartbeats.

Inner Ear issues are also a common cause of dizzyness. These can result from excess fluid, sinus issues, or even food allergies / sensitivities.

Bottom Line: Dizzyness is not uncommon, but should be checked out.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Der Biermeister]

I was going to start a thread on this today, as I've been having dizzyness problems since Tuesday. Almost passed out on my morning walk Tuesday morning and have been light-headed ever since. Insisted on being seen yesterday at my cardiologist's office (he's on vacation). They did an EKG, and confirmed what I already knew - I have a LOT of PVCs, some back to back. BUT -- they claim I shouldn't be having ANY dizziness because my bp is too high. (I have White Coat Syndrome in addition to everything else). BP meds will cause dizziness ONLY when your bp goes way low - or so they say.

I suspect I am WAY low on potassium -- this is based on the amount of supplements I was taking before surgery (80 meq/day) whereas now I am only allowed to take 20, and that's with almost the same amount of diuretics. Anyway, I had a blood test done yesterday afternoon with STAT written on - but they didn't get the results back to me last night. So I'll know more this morning. I've read countless articles that point towards low potassium as being a culprit in generating PVCs. I read one article that also said if you get several PVCs per minute, this could cause dizziness. Every time I check, I am getting maybe 6 per minute on average.

I am tired of waiting for blood test results and doctors to call back. So I started taking more potassium on my own. I will do this for today anyway, until I hear what the results are. I figure one day of extra potassium can't hurt.

 

[Georgia]

DB - you're on an ACE inhibitor, which is potassium-sparing - that's why they took you off the supplements. Be careful taking the supplements until you know what your levels are. Eat lots of dried apricots, instead.

 

[BDMc]

No Answer but...

No Answer but...

Jen, I'm sorry your husband is having this trouble, and I don't think you are being overly concerned. I think it must be very hard not to "overreact" after all you two have been through! We all have to be agressive these days, in order to get decent healthcare. Stay on those doctors! I am so glad our husbands recovery has been so good/full after alll he went through. Very impressive! I think he's a real champ! All the best to you both, Brian

 

[Der Biermeister]

DB - you're on an ACE inhibitor, which is potassium-sparing - that's why they took you off the supplements. Be careful taking the supplements until you know what your levels are. Eat lots of dried apricots, instead.

Georgia -- Ooops - I've neglected to update my profile in a long time. No longer on the ACE. They replaced that with Cozaar. In addition, they've also added the beta-blocker. (I just updated)

Got my blood work back a few minutes ago. Potassium is slightly on the low side of mid-range. A 4.0 with the range being 3.5 -- 5.5. So, that gets ruled out. My hemoglobin is FINALLY back up to normal at 14.2

 

[ALCapshaw2]

FYI - COZAAR is also classified as an Angiotension Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor

The following was copied from www.healthsquare.com/???:
(Google: Cozaar)

Special warnings about this medication

Cozaar can cause low blood pressure, especially if you are also taking a diuretic. You may feel light-headed or faint, especially during the first few days of therapy. If these symptoms occur, contact your doctor. Your dosage may need to be adjusted or discontinued. Be sure you know how you react to Cozaar before you drive or operate machinery.

Excessive sweating, dehydration, severe diarrhea, or vomiting could make you lose too much water, causing a severe drop in blood pressure. Call your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.

Be sure to tell your doctor about any medical conditions you have, especially liver or kidney disease and congestive heart failure. In very rare cases, Cozaar has triggered fatal kidney problems in people with heart failure.

Cozaar tends to increase the level of potassium in the blood. Check with your doctor before taking potassium supplements or using a salt substitute.

 

[Cooker]

Glad to hear this is common. I am 16 weeks post op and had two mild spells yesterday. They passed quickly. Walked last night and this morning and all seems fine.

 

[Superbob]

Jen,

There are some good articles online about the many possible causes of dizziness. Here is a link to one:

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/dizziness/article_em.htm

You are right to stay on top of this and to get back to the doctor if the problem persists. Hope this problem is easing for your husband and the rest of his recovery will be smooth.

 

[sue943]

I complained to my cardiologist about dizziness and he said it could be dehydration and stopped my diuretics, he said that it could also be due to the stress that I am under. Since stopping diuretics I have not been dizzy at all, but at the same time some of my stress has been reduced.

 

[jcat2006]

thanks!

thanks!

thanks so much for the replies. They are very helpful.