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What Causes Intermittent Vertigo When Diagnosed With Atrial Fibrillation?
Question: I have infrequent experiences with vertigo. It often lasts several days. I also have been told by my cardiologist that I have "afib." Is there are a connection? Both parents died of heart attacks, my father at 61 and my mother at 92. During the vertigo episodes I am almost always exhausted, and I find the simplest tasks very difficult. I do take mecklisine for the vertigo, and it helps a little bit. I also take 20 mg of lisinopril, hydroclorozide and a baby aspiring. I have intentionally lost about 10 lbs in the last 6 months and have always considered myself relatively fit. Anyway, my concern is whether the vertigo is the result of an underlying heart problem.
Brief Answer:
Duplex ultrasound of cervical arteries is needed
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,
If you have vertigo episodes you should undergo duplex ultrasound of the cervical arteries, that supply blood to the brain, to rule out blockages as a cause of vertigo.
Atrial fibrillation may rarely causes vertigo, but you should know that it can cause stroke as a complication. A patient in your age who also has arterial hypertension, should take Warfarin or Xarelto in stead of Baby Aspirin to prevent stroke.
So I would advise you to talk to your doctor about the possibility of changing Baby Aspirin and performing Duplex ultrasound.
Take care
Come back if you have any further questions
Duplex ultrasound of cervical arteries is needed
Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,
If you have vertigo episodes you should undergo duplex ultrasound of the cervical arteries, that supply blood to the brain, to rule out blockages as a cause of vertigo.
Atrial fibrillation may rarely causes vertigo, but you should know that it can cause stroke as a complication. A patient in your age who also has arterial hypertension, should take Warfarin or Xarelto in stead of Baby Aspirin to prevent stroke.
So I would advise you to talk to your doctor about the possibility of changing Baby Aspirin and performing Duplex ultrasound.
Take care
Come back if you have any further questions
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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