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What Causes Dizziness, Nausea, Shortness Of Breath And Weakness In The Legs?
Question: Since being hospitalized 3 years ago, I have been experiencing dizziness, nausea and weakness in my legs. Sometimes combined with shortness of breath. I have A-Fib and 4 leaking valves. I can pinpoint exactly when it started while in the hospital after surgery. Some days are worse than others. It is worse while walking outside than inside. Symptoms go away when I lie down. I take cortisone for an adrenal insufficiency and have hade open heart surgery to repair the mitral and tricuspid valves.
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your medical history and actual complaints and would like to explain that your symptoms (dizziness, nausea, weakness coupled with shortness of breathing) need further explorations and review.
First of all, I would like to know your actual cardiac ultrasound report: What is your actual cardiac performance (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF])? what is the degree of the residual mitral and tricuspid valves dysfunction after surgery? What are the conditions of right heart chambers and the level of pulmonary artery pressures?
Second, it is necessary to perform a thorough neurological status evaluation (for ruling in/out any potential cerebral lesion, which is frequently found in atrial fibrillation patients and not rarely after cardiac surgery), for investigating possible etiological causes of your complaints.
In such case, a careful neurological examination and possibly neurological imagine studies (CT & MRI) may be necessary id sufficient suspicions are raised.
Third, you should know that adrenal insufficiency may incorporate any of the above mentioned complaints. So, coming to this point a new review of your blood corticosteroids level, their day-night trends and the associated blood electrolytes level are advisable for optimizing your cortisone therapy.
You may be at risk for stroke, because of persistent arrhythmia and concomitant co-morbidities. That's why anti-couagulation should be part of your daily therapy.
You need to discuss with your attending physician on the above mentioned issues.
Hope to have been helpful!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to asked me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX!
Welcome on HCM!
I passed carefully through your medical history and actual complaints and would like to explain that your symptoms (dizziness, nausea, weakness coupled with shortness of breathing) need further explorations and review.
First of all, I would like to know your actual cardiac ultrasound report: What is your actual cardiac performance (left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF])? what is the degree of the residual mitral and tricuspid valves dysfunction after surgery? What are the conditions of right heart chambers and the level of pulmonary artery pressures?
Second, it is necessary to perform a thorough neurological status evaluation (for ruling in/out any potential cerebral lesion, which is frequently found in atrial fibrillation patients and not rarely after cardiac surgery), for investigating possible etiological causes of your complaints.
In such case, a careful neurological examination and possibly neurological imagine studies (CT & MRI) may be necessary id sufficient suspicions are raised.
Third, you should know that adrenal insufficiency may incorporate any of the above mentioned complaints. So, coming to this point a new review of your blood corticosteroids level, their day-night trends and the associated blood electrolytes level are advisable for optimizing your cortisone therapy.
You may be at risk for stroke, because of persistent arrhythmia and concomitant co-morbidities. That's why anti-couagulation should be part of your daily therapy.
You need to discuss with your attending physician on the above mentioned issues.
Hope to have been helpful!
In case of any further uncertainties, feel free to asked me again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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