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What Causes Dizziness Followed By Nausea And Vomiting?

Posted on Sat, 14 Feb 2015

Question: Hi I had something recently which the doctors said might have been a TIA but they were not sure. I felt extremely dizzy to the point of nausea after climbing some steep steps, and I vomited whenever I moved and became very weak. My blood pressure dropped and so did my temperature. I was treated at the emergency department and after 4-5 hours was improved enough to go home. I still feel a wee bit nauseous, and I am very tired. This was 4 days ago. I am 65 years old.

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Sounds more like ischemic heart...

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

the symptoms you've described seem more like an ischemic heart rather than an ischemic brain. First of all, taking blood thinners lessens your risk for thrombotic events, so a transient ischemic attack is less likely. Blood thinner may cause hemorrhagic events in the brain. Such events are not transient!

Feeling dizzy and nauseous and then vomiting after physical activity points to an ischemic heart (a coronary artery syndrome). A drop in blood pressure is also compatible with a heart problem.

Investigation and treatment at the emergency department usually clarifies these things. Do you have reports of the tests they did to you?
Where you all right before the event? Did you have any infection for example?

Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (17 minutes later)

Hello Doctor.Thank you for your thoughtful reply to my question. To answer your follow up question, I was fine before the attack and had just returned from work. I was fine at work. At the emergency department I had an X ray. CT scan and an MRI. They told me results were inconclusive, but they only checked my head, not any further. I do not have copies of their reports on the tests. I should point out that I was not taking blood thinners and cholesterol reducing medication before the attack, it was prescribed afterwards. Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (32 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I still think you needed/need a cardiological investigation

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the helpful input!
I can't say why they though it was a TIA. It's possible that you had symptoms like slurred speech etc and symptoms resolved later...

According to my opinion cardiological investigation should have been done. A coronary artery event could have such transient effects. An arrhythmia (due to a coronary artery event or for any reason) also...

I'm almost certain that an electrocardiogram was done, because even if there was suspicion for stroke, cardiological investigation could have been vital.

In conclusion, although I wasn't there to examine you, I believe that the investigation you described wasn't complete.

I hope you find my answer helpful!
If you'd like further information, please use your follow-up questions to contact me again.

Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (44 minutes later)

OK thank you. I have just been called to make another appointment with my GP following this event, because they are not sure that it was a TIA, and wish to do a full neurological exam. The appointment is not until next Tuesday, until then I am taking it easy.
I appreciate your opinion, and will mention it to my GP.
Cheers from XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for asking!

Detailed Answer:
I'm glad to help. Thank you for asking!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D