What Causes Dizziness After A Coronary Bypass Surgery?

Posted on Thu, 21 Sep 2017

Question: I had a coronary bypass 5 weeks ago. My BP got too low 100's systolic and I got really dizzy on the medication. The DR. has me monitoring my BP and holding off on the BP meds. Last week around 3 am I woke up. I had a bad H/A in my left temple area. I had this h/a before my surgery X2. This time I looked in the mirror and my left face was swollen, especially around my eye and my cheek. My BP was 172/82. I took my BP meds and put a warm cloth on my face and eventually my BP went down. The next two nights I woke up at 3am and started adding other things in the hope it would help. 2 Extra ST. ASA and Advil PM. The swelling was never as bad but it was still there. I am on a different BP med and slept last night but I am afraid of the problem recurring. I was reading about Hypnic h/a do they include one sided facial swelling and High BP?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
These are not the usual features of Hypnic headache.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being on healthcaremagic.com.
I am Dr.Ajay Panwar,a neurologist, here to answer your query.

Although hyping headache occurs classically during sleep and awakens the patient due to its severity, and it may be unilateral as well, however, swelling and high BP are not the usual associations.

Please let me know the following details-
1) Is it associated with nausea?
2)How long does the headache lasts after you get awaken from sleep?
2)Does the headache increase on light and sound exposure?
4)Do you have a blocked or running nose or watering eyes during the episode?

Hope that helps.I shall be glad to have you in follow-up with further details.

Regards,
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (5 hours later)

I did want to stress that heat helps not cold. If I put heat on my swollen face it and the other things mentioned help. Before I could find anything to help they would last an hour before I could get my BP to drop then I fall awake. The h/a itself I am sure lasted longer but not as bad. Nausea probably and dizziness both are a problem anymore. No. 3 it quiet at night so don't know if that a problem No runny nose watering eyes that I am aware of.

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Sleep study and Brain imaging/Nocturnal high BP may be rarely associated.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Although your symptoms are not typical of hypnic headache, nocturnal high BP may be sometimes associated. Further, a Polysomnography or sleep study should be done to rule out sleep apnea. A brain imaging should also be done to rule out intracranial pathology. Hypnic headache is considered to be a diagnosis of exclusion,ie, if no other secondary cause is detected, in that scenario hypnic headache may be diagnosed.

Hope that helps.If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up else please close the thread,rate it and write a review.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (6 hours later)

I realized that until lately I was taking a Benadryl to help me sleep(Advil PM). I do have some sinus issues. The area that the h/a comes from (left temple) is also where I have a h/a that I associate with sinuses. My left nostril has been continually draining for quite awhile. Tonight the drainage down the back of my throat and the upset stomach is keeping me awake. Could there be a connnection?BP 117/76 P 86 no h/a but left face swollen

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (28 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, that can be related.Get yourself examined by an ENT specialist.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Of course, sinusitis can be related.i would suggest you to get yourself physically examined by an ENT specialist as well.Sinusitis frequently has postural headache, or headache localised to a particular site.

Hope that helps.If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up else please close the thread,rate it and write a review.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (44 minutes later)

I passed the ENT exam no change in my sinuses. I was trying to hold off on the MRI but he thinks I should have it.

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
In addition to MRI, a sleep study may also be done.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Even I mentioned in my earlier discussion that intracranial abnormality should be ruled out, so a MRI of brain is desirable. In addition, it would be wiser to get a sleep study done as well to rule out sleep apnea.

Hope that helps.If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.

Regards,
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Ajay Panwar (33 hours later)

I was told at one time I had sleep apnea but have had no problems since so do not use the CPAP. How does sleep apnea have anything to do with this?

Answered by Dr. Ajay Panwar (25 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Sleep apnea is also known to be associated with such headache

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for being in follow-up.

Sleep apnea is known to have association with sleep headache episodes;hypnic headache like presentation at times.

Hope that helps.If you have any further questions,I shall be glad to have you in follow-up.

Regards
Dr.Ajay Panwar,
MD,DM(Neurology)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj