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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Dizziness And Swallowing Difficulty

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Posted on Thu, 23 Mar 2017
Question: I was having breakfast and I've noticed that I find it hard to swallow at times is this a side effect . I also felt very dizzy and I thought I was going to faint. This is not the first time that it's happened and I wondered if the medication and I mom could cause this affect.
I do have a cardiologist in town.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome on HCM!

I passed carefully through your concerns, and would like to explain that Diltiazem and Losartan when used concomitantly may lead to arterial hypotension which may be manifested with dizziness and near fainting.

Coming to this point, you need to check your blood pressure values at the moment of such complaints.

If hypotension or low heart rate is revealed, then you need to discuss with your attending cardiologist on the possibility of modifying your actual anti-hypertensive therapy scheme.

But, if your blood pressure and heart rate are within your normal chronic ranges, then an alternative explanation for your difficulty of swallowing, dizziness and near fainting should be sought.

Coming to this point, I would advise to consult a neurologist for a careful neurological status examination and additional tests ( head CT or MRI if necessary), to exclude possible cerebral ischemia.

Several medical tests should be checked as well:

- complete blood count (for ruling out possible anemia),
- fasting blood glucose (possible hypoglycemia,
- blood electrolytes level (possible electrolytes imbalance)
- kidney and liver function tests

You need to discuss with your attending physician on the above mentioned issues.

In case of any further questions, feel free to ask me again!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (22 minutes later)
Thank you for the information.
If I understand this correctly the difficulty in swallowing could be part of the medication I am taking
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Opinion as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again, dear Donna!

If excessive hypotension was present during that episode, it could be an explanation.

In such case, a reduction of anti-hypertensive drugs should be done under your prescribing doctor's guide.

Nevertheless, I advise you to follow all the recommended steps (including neurologist consultation) to make sure that no transient ischemic attack (TIA); cerebral ischemia or hypoglycemia have been the cause.

Regards,

Dr. Iliri


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (2 minutes later)
What is cerebral ischemic
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain:

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Cerebral ischemia is a serious disorder that is due to insufficient blood flow through certain areas of the brain.

It may be caused by potential atherosclerotic stenoses inside the supplying cerebral blood vessels as well as cardiac related embolism (a thrombus originating from the left heart chambers may travel with the blood flow and position in a certain cerebral artery leading to ischemia).

Arterial hypotension or even episodes of cardiac arrhythmia may aggravate or exacerbate such a situation.

That's why I recommended consulting with a neurologist (if blood pressure and heart rate abnormalities are excluded).

Hope to have clarified your uncertainties!

Wishing you a pleasant weekend!

Greetings!

Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (10 minutes later)
Dear Dr. Sharka,
Thank you for all your information. I have an appointment set up with my cardiologist and a complete bloodwork panel.
Have a great weekend.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome!

Detailed Answer:
I remain at your disposal for any further questions regarding health concerns you may have.

Feel free to ask me directly if you need!

Best wishes,

Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9544 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Persistent Dizziness And Swallowing Difficulty

Brief Answer: I would explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome on HCM! I passed carefully through your concerns, and would like to explain that Diltiazem and Losartan when used concomitantly may lead to arterial hypotension which may be manifested with dizziness and near fainting. Coming to this point, you need to check your blood pressure values at the moment of such complaints. If hypotension or low heart rate is revealed, then you need to discuss with your attending cardiologist on the possibility of modifying your actual anti-hypertensive therapy scheme. But, if your blood pressure and heart rate are within your normal chronic ranges, then an alternative explanation for your difficulty of swallowing, dizziness and near fainting should be sought. Coming to this point, I would advise to consult a neurologist for a careful neurological status examination and additional tests ( head CT or MRI if necessary), to exclude possible cerebral ischemia. Several medical tests should be checked as well: - complete blood count (for ruling out possible anemia), - fasting blood glucose (possible hypoglycemia, - blood electrolytes level (possible electrolytes imbalance) - kidney and liver function tests You need to discuss with your attending physician on the above mentioned issues. In case of any further questions, feel free to ask me again! Kind regards, Dr. Iliri