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Hello. I Am A 37 Year Old Female. Yesterday I
Question: Hello. I am a 37 year old female. Yesterday I cycled downtown to go to an appointment at a school. I was sitting down and about 5 min later I suddenly I felt this turbulence sensation passing through, like in a vein or something on my brain (on the frontal part) and I immediately started feeling dizzy and lightheaded. It lasted for about 15 seconds and my heart started racing fast. I was a little lightheaded for a few minutes after that and had trouble focusing, but then later it was gone. This has happened to me a few times before, maybe some months ago but it was much shorter and less dizziness. At one time I also felt the turbulence on my left side of the neck with a sudden stinging pain but it went away immediately and I was not feeling dizzy.
I also must say that I have been hearing this sound in my ears, especially on my left side, for months, and feel a sort of pressure on the left side of my head but I suppose it can be muscular because of my posture? I took a digital hearing test at the ENT and it was fine. Wonder if these two are related.
What could be the cause? Should I see a doctor? If so, what tests should I take? Thank you for your help.
I also must say that I have been hearing this sound in my ears, especially on my left side, for months, and feel a sort of pressure on the left side of my head but I suppose it can be muscular because of my posture? I took a digital hearing test at the ENT and it was fine. Wonder if these two are related.
What could be the cause? Should I see a doctor? If so, what tests should I take? Thank you for your help.
Hello. I am a 37 year old female. Yesterday I cycled downtown to go to an appointment at a school. I was sitting down and about 5 min later I suddenly I felt this turbulence sensation passing through, like in a vein or something on my brain (on the frontal part) and I immediately started feeling dizzy and lightheaded. It lasted for about 15 seconds and my heart started racing fast. I was a little lightheaded for a few minutes after that and had trouble focusing, but then later it was gone. This has happened to me a few times before, maybe some months ago but it was much shorter and less dizziness. At one time I also felt the turbulence on my left side of the neck with a sudden stinging pain but it went away immediately and I was not feeling dizzy.
I also must say that I have been hearing this sound in my ears, especially on my left side, for months, and feel a sort of pressure on the left side of my head but I suppose it can be muscular because of my posture? I took a digital hearing test at the ENT and it was fine. Wonder if these two are related.
What could be the cause? Should I see a doctor? If so, what tests should I take? Thank you for your help.
I also must say that I have been hearing this sound in my ears, especially on my left side, for months, and feel a sort of pressure on the left side of my head but I suppose it can be muscular because of my posture? I took a digital hearing test at the ENT and it was fine. Wonder if these two are related.
What could be the cause? Should I see a doctor? If so, what tests should I take? Thank you for your help.
Brief Answer:
Very likely these are panic attacks (anxiety) but a check with the doctor and some tests may be needed to rule out other potential causes first.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor' service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
I noticed that you have had a previous ultrasound confirming the presence of a mitral valve prolapse. This is a common finding and most of the time it is not serious but it may need a follow-up ultrasound in a couple of years or if the patient has any potentially related symptoms.
For this reason, I would advise you to have a heart ultrasound if you have not had one in the last year, to make sure the prolapse is staying stable or progressing. An ECG is a basic hear examination and is advisable as well. Also, some basic blood tests may be advisable such as
- CBC (to rule out anemia)
- basic metabolic profile to evaluate your general health (electrolytes, creatinine, fasting glucose, lipids, liver function tests, etc)
- TSH to make sure your thyroid is normal as thyroid problems are common in females and if you have not had a check in the last years, it would be advisable to have one.
The doctor will also need to perform a thorough general examination as well.
If all the tests and examinations and tests come out normal, very likely your symptoms are due to anxiety (panic attack) which is a very common cause of dizziness, immediate pain, racing heart that last only few seconds to minutes and is not directly related to exercise (it does not happen while you are exercising but after or even when you are resting or at night).
In my opinion, by what you explained so far, your symptoms are very likely due to panic attacks but having a check to rule out other possible conditions may be safer. Your doctor may decide not to do some of the tests if after examining you he does not find enough evidence that you may need them (the list I provided is a general list that the doctor will have to work through and decide which of them is needed after examining you).
Meanwhile, try to avoid alcohol, smoking, coffee, energy drinks and keep yourself busy with activities you enjoy but not overload yourself. Make sure you do drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy diet and rest as needed.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Very likely these are panic attacks (anxiety) but a check with the doctor and some tests may be needed to rule out other potential causes first.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor' service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
I noticed that you have had a previous ultrasound confirming the presence of a mitral valve prolapse. This is a common finding and most of the time it is not serious but it may need a follow-up ultrasound in a couple of years or if the patient has any potentially related symptoms.
For this reason, I would advise you to have a heart ultrasound if you have not had one in the last year, to make sure the prolapse is staying stable or progressing. An ECG is a basic hear examination and is advisable as well. Also, some basic blood tests may be advisable such as
- CBC (to rule out anemia)
- basic metabolic profile to evaluate your general health (electrolytes, creatinine, fasting glucose, lipids, liver function tests, etc)
- TSH to make sure your thyroid is normal as thyroid problems are common in females and if you have not had a check in the last years, it would be advisable to have one.
The doctor will also need to perform a thorough general examination as well.
If all the tests and examinations and tests come out normal, very likely your symptoms are due to anxiety (panic attack) which is a very common cause of dizziness, immediate pain, racing heart that last only few seconds to minutes and is not directly related to exercise (it does not happen while you are exercising but after or even when you are resting or at night).
In my opinion, by what you explained so far, your symptoms are very likely due to panic attacks but having a check to rule out other possible conditions may be safer. Your doctor may decide not to do some of the tests if after examining you he does not find enough evidence that you may need them (the list I provided is a general list that the doctor will have to work through and decide which of them is needed after examining you).
Meanwhile, try to avoid alcohol, smoking, coffee, energy drinks and keep yourself busy with activities you enjoy but not overload yourself. Make sure you do drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy diet and rest as needed.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Brief Answer:
Very likely these are panic attacks (anxiety) but a check with the doctor and some tests may be needed to rule out other potential causes first.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor' service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
I noticed that you have had a previous ultrasound confirming the presence of a mitral valve prolapse. This is a common finding and most of the time it is not serious but it may need a follow-up ultrasound in a couple of years or if the patient has any potentially related symptoms.
For this reason, I would advise you to have a heart ultrasound if you have not had one in the last year, to make sure the prolapse is staying stable or progressing. An ECG is a basic hear examination and is advisable as well. Also, some basic blood tests may be advisable such as
- CBC (to rule out anemia)
- basic metabolic profile to evaluate your general health (electrolytes, creatinine, fasting glucose, lipids, liver function tests, etc)
- TSH to make sure your thyroid is normal as thyroid problems are common in females and if you have not had a check in the last years, it would be advisable to have one.
The doctor will also need to perform a thorough general examination as well.
If all the tests and examinations and tests come out normal, very likely your symptoms are due to anxiety (panic attack) which is a very common cause of dizziness, immediate pain, racing heart that last only few seconds to minutes and is not directly related to exercise (it does not happen while you are exercising but after or even when you are resting or at night).
In my opinion, by what you explained so far, your symptoms are very likely due to panic attacks but having a check to rule out other possible conditions may be safer. Your doctor may decide not to do some of the tests if after examining you he does not find enough evidence that you may need them (the list I provided is a general list that the doctor will have to work through and decide which of them is needed after examining you).
Meanwhile, try to avoid alcohol, smoking, coffee, energy drinks and keep yourself busy with activities you enjoy but not overload yourself. Make sure you do drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy diet and rest as needed.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Very likely these are panic attacks (anxiety) but a check with the doctor and some tests may be needed to rule out other potential causes first.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor' service,
I carefully read your query and understand your concern.
I noticed that you have had a previous ultrasound confirming the presence of a mitral valve prolapse. This is a common finding and most of the time it is not serious but it may need a follow-up ultrasound in a couple of years or if the patient has any potentially related symptoms.
For this reason, I would advise you to have a heart ultrasound if you have not had one in the last year, to make sure the prolapse is staying stable or progressing. An ECG is a basic hear examination and is advisable as well. Also, some basic blood tests may be advisable such as
- CBC (to rule out anemia)
- basic metabolic profile to evaluate your general health (electrolytes, creatinine, fasting glucose, lipids, liver function tests, etc)
- TSH to make sure your thyroid is normal as thyroid problems are common in females and if you have not had a check in the last years, it would be advisable to have one.
The doctor will also need to perform a thorough general examination as well.
If all the tests and examinations and tests come out normal, very likely your symptoms are due to anxiety (panic attack) which is a very common cause of dizziness, immediate pain, racing heart that last only few seconds to minutes and is not directly related to exercise (it does not happen while you are exercising but after or even when you are resting or at night).
In my opinion, by what you explained so far, your symptoms are very likely due to panic attacks but having a check to rule out other possible conditions may be safer. Your doctor may decide not to do some of the tests if after examining you he does not find enough evidence that you may need them (the list I provided is a general list that the doctor will have to work through and decide which of them is needed after examining you).
Meanwhile, try to avoid alcohol, smoking, coffee, energy drinks and keep yourself busy with activities you enjoy but not overload yourself. Make sure you do drink plenty of fluids and eat a healthy diet and rest as needed.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
Dear Antoneta,
thank you very much for your detailed and careful response, I very much appreciate it.
I would like to complement the information by saying I have had these examinations you mentioned in the past months (TSH, metabolic functioning, CBC, ECG) and they all came out normal. I have not done a heart ultrasound since 2010 so I may follow up on that.
I have a pending question though:
the first thing I felt was this "turbulence" as if blood was rushing on a vein or something was stuck in the front interior part of my head, and as it happened immediately my dizziness begun, it was not painful, but I could notice that something was happening there in my head and it seemed like I was getting dizzy because of that turbulence. I have had a panick attack in the past so I am familiar with this, and I understand that my heart racing could be the consequence as I slightly pannicked about what was happening. However, I tried to keep calm and have not been stressed lately. So could it be possible that something else happened? Something related to my blood circulation perhaps? Somehow my instinct tells me it was not originating as a panic attack with this "turbulence" thing. Thanks again for your help.
thank you very much for your detailed and careful response, I very much appreciate it.
I would like to complement the information by saying I have had these examinations you mentioned in the past months (TSH, metabolic functioning, CBC, ECG) and they all came out normal. I have not done a heart ultrasound since 2010 so I may follow up on that.
I have a pending question though:
the first thing I felt was this "turbulence" as if blood was rushing on a vein or something was stuck in the front interior part of my head, and as it happened immediately my dizziness begun, it was not painful, but I could notice that something was happening there in my head and it seemed like I was getting dizzy because of that turbulence. I have had a panick attack in the past so I am familiar with this, and I understand that my heart racing could be the consequence as I slightly pannicked about what was happening. However, I tried to keep calm and have not been stressed lately. So could it be possible that something else happened? Something related to my blood circulation perhaps? Somehow my instinct tells me it was not originating as a panic attack with this "turbulence" thing. Thanks again for your help.
Dear Antoneta,
thank you very much for your detailed and careful response, I very much appreciate it.
I would like to complement the information by saying I have had these examinations you mentioned in the past months (TSH, metabolic functioning, CBC, ECG) and they all came out normal. I have not done a heart ultrasound since 2010 so I may follow up on that.
I have a pending question though:
the first thing I felt was this "turbulence" as if blood was rushing on a vein or something was stuck in the front interior part of my head, and as it happened immediately my dizziness begun, it was not painful, but I could notice that something was happening there in my head and it seemed like I was getting dizzy because of that turbulence. I have had a panick attack in the past so I am familiar with this, and I understand that my heart racing could be the consequence as I slightly pannicked about what was happening. However, I tried to keep calm and have not been stressed lately. So could it be possible that something else happened? Something related to my blood circulation perhaps? Somehow my instinct tells me it was not originating as a panic attack with this "turbulence" thing. Thanks again for your help.
thank you very much for your detailed and careful response, I very much appreciate it.
I would like to complement the information by saying I have had these examinations you mentioned in the past months (TSH, metabolic functioning, CBC, ECG) and they all came out normal. I have not done a heart ultrasound since 2010 so I may follow up on that.
I have a pending question though:
the first thing I felt was this "turbulence" as if blood was rushing on a vein or something was stuck in the front interior part of my head, and as it happened immediately my dizziness begun, it was not painful, but I could notice that something was happening there in my head and it seemed like I was getting dizzy because of that turbulence. I have had a panick attack in the past so I am familiar with this, and I understand that my heart racing could be the consequence as I slightly pannicked about what was happening. However, I tried to keep calm and have not been stressed lately. So could it be possible that something else happened? Something related to my blood circulation perhaps? Somehow my instinct tells me it was not originating as a panic attack with this "turbulence" thing. Thanks again for your help.
Brief Answer:
I do not think this is a blood flow problem- detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
It is good you had some of these tests and yes, it would be advisable to have the heart ultrasound as you have had one long ago.
As for the "turbulence", you felt in your neck and head, I do not think it is a blood flow problem. There is no such problem that I can think of that may cause so short disturbance, especially in a young patient.
Very likely these sensations are due to muscle spasms and twitches that may happen with anxiety. I understand you have had anxiety previously but anxiety may present with a variety of symptoms. Strange difficult to explain sensations are typical for anxiety and in your case the turbulences, I think. are just muscle twitches. Muscle twitches are very common during a panic attack and this is due to hyperventilation and related changes in the blood PH and electrolytes (especially Ca++).
The fact that all the symptoms last only minutes is another indication that they may be due to anxiety as well.
Blood flow problems are more common in the elderly, who develop narrowing of the blood vessels due to atherosclerotic plaques and is almost impossible to be the case with you.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
I do not think this is a blood flow problem- detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
It is good you had some of these tests and yes, it would be advisable to have the heart ultrasound as you have had one long ago.
As for the "turbulence", you felt in your neck and head, I do not think it is a blood flow problem. There is no such problem that I can think of that may cause so short disturbance, especially in a young patient.
Very likely these sensations are due to muscle spasms and twitches that may happen with anxiety. I understand you have had anxiety previously but anxiety may present with a variety of symptoms. Strange difficult to explain sensations are typical for anxiety and in your case the turbulences, I think. are just muscle twitches. Muscle twitches are very common during a panic attack and this is due to hyperventilation and related changes in the blood PH and electrolytes (especially Ca++).
The fact that all the symptoms last only minutes is another indication that they may be due to anxiety as well.
Blood flow problems are more common in the elderly, who develop narrowing of the blood vessels due to atherosclerotic plaques and is almost impossible to be the case with you.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Brief Answer:
I do not think this is a blood flow problem- detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
It is good you had some of these tests and yes, it would be advisable to have the heart ultrasound as you have had one long ago.
As for the "turbulence", you felt in your neck and head, I do not think it is a blood flow problem. There is no such problem that I can think of that may cause so short disturbance, especially in a young patient.
Very likely these sensations are due to muscle spasms and twitches that may happen with anxiety. I understand you have had anxiety previously but anxiety may present with a variety of symptoms. Strange difficult to explain sensations are typical for anxiety and in your case the turbulences, I think. are just muscle twitches. Muscle twitches are very common during a panic attack and this is due to hyperventilation and related changes in the blood PH and electrolytes (especially Ca++).
The fact that all the symptoms last only minutes is another indication that they may be due to anxiety as well.
Blood flow problems are more common in the elderly, who develop narrowing of the blood vessels due to atherosclerotic plaques and is almost impossible to be the case with you.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
I do not think this is a blood flow problem- detailed answer below
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome back,
It is good you had some of these tests and yes, it would be advisable to have the heart ultrasound as you have had one long ago.
As for the "turbulence", you felt in your neck and head, I do not think it is a blood flow problem. There is no such problem that I can think of that may cause so short disturbance, especially in a young patient.
Very likely these sensations are due to muscle spasms and twitches that may happen with anxiety. I understand you have had anxiety previously but anxiety may present with a variety of symptoms. Strange difficult to explain sensations are typical for anxiety and in your case the turbulences, I think. are just muscle twitches. Muscle twitches are very common during a panic attack and this is due to hyperventilation and related changes in the blood PH and electrolytes (especially Ca++).
The fact that all the symptoms last only minutes is another indication that they may be due to anxiety as well.
Blood flow problems are more common in the elderly, who develop narrowing of the blood vessels due to atherosclerotic plaques and is almost impossible to be the case with you.
I hope this answers your query.
I remain at your disposal in case further medical assistance is needed.
Regards,
Dr. Antoneta Zotaj
General and Family Physician
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
Answered by
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