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What Causes Dizziness While On Blood Pressure Medication?

Posted on Wed, 4 Feb 2015

Question: I am on Blood pressure medicine. I have been experiencing lightheadedness on and off for a couple of days. Went to the ER on Monday and had ekg, blood work and chest x-ray. My ekg showed I had sinus tachycardia from anxiety. Blood pressure was 144/80. Everything went back to normal with in an hour. On release my blood pressure was 127/74. Doctor thought it could be thyroid, but the TSH test came back 1.30 which is normal. I do tent to sweat a lot. I am a smoker. Chest x-ray show no evidence of acute caradiopulmonary disease . I am still getting lightheadedness, mostly in the moring. Not sleeping very good,

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Controlling stress/anxiety is highly advised...

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I have gone through your medical history carefully and understood your concerns.

1. Taking into account your actual age (menopause), hormonal changes during this life-stage might also be triggering your symptoms.

2. It is important to stop smoking and/or stop drinking alcohol to avoid aggravation of symptoms.

3. Sinus tachycardia is a normal reaction to stress/anxiety. If you try to control stress/anxiety, can also manage tachycardia.

If I was your caring doctor would advise to:
- stop smoking
- avoid drinking alcohol
- eat healthy
- avoid caffeinated drinks
- take chamomile tea especially at bedtime
- reduce salt intake

Hope it was of help!
Dr.Benard

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

I do try to eat healthy. I lost about 40 pounds about a year ago. I have been on 5 mg lisinopril and 10 mg of amlodipine besylate for years now. I am concerned that the lightheadedness may be attributed to something more serious than anxiety. Even though my ekg went back to normal, could this be heart related or blood pressure related?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
ECG alone doesn't exclude minor cardiac problems...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

As long as ECG is normal it will exclude any cardiac emergency, but it doesn't exclude any minor cardiac problem.

in order to definitely exclude cardiac problems I recommend to do:
- Cardiac ECHO
- Stress test
- Holter monitoring
- BP monitoring

If everything is normal than you shouldn't worry and it's an anxiety related problem. In such a case follow my advice.

Wish you health!
Dr. Benard

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (17 minutes later)

what you define as minor cardiac problem?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
With minor cardiac problems i mean non life threatening cardiac problems..

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

With minor cardiac problems i mean non life threatening cardiac problems like Hypertension, arrhythmia (Premature atrial or ventricular complex, heart beats, atrial fibrillation etc.), valvular anomalies (mitral valve prolaps, valvular insuficency etc.).

This problems aren't emergencies but may be in some cases may be the cause of your concerns (or may worsen your symptoms). This is why important to exclude this problems.

Wish you health!
Dr. Benard

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

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (56 minutes later)

Non life threatening makes me feel better. Thank you! I have an appointment with my GP tomorrow

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is nice to hear that my advice was somehow helpful for you.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back again,

It is nice to hear that my advice was somehow helpful for you.

Wish you health!
Dr. Benard

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

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