What Do Lightheadedness And Anxiety After Short-walks Indicate?

Posted on Thu, 13 Jul 2023

Question: I am a 79 year old female. I take lisinapril hctz 10 and metaprolol success 25. I had triple bypass surgery in 2002. I have been experiencing episodes of extreme weakness, lightheadedness, and anxiety as a results of feeling so weak. This has happened primarily after I had been walking about shopping for short periods of time. I have learned toncheck my bp. On Saturday my son and I were looking at plants and suddenly I knew I had to sit down. I checked bp and it was 74/49. I continued to sit until I felt I could safely get the short distance to the car. This kind of thing has happened fairly frequently. It frightens me.I do not want to have a chemical stress test and don't have the strength to do treadmill. Do you have any suggestions? How low can my no drop before being seriously alarmed?

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:

You need to reduce your medication

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

The signs you are telling XXXXXXX to be because of low bp.
You need to reduce the dose of Lisinopril.

First, you need to change Lisinopril hctz combination to just Lisinopril and also reduce its dose to 5mg daily for now.

You also need to monitor your bp and check your Sodium (hctz part can reduce Sodium which can also cause such symptoms).

I hope you will be better soon and will get the strength back as your bp comes normal and will than do your stress test which is important to do as it has been more than 15yrs for your surgery.

Also, I would like to know whether you are not taking any blood thinners like aspirin.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Sameer Maheshwari, Cardiologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (41 minutes later)

I take one regular aspirin daily. What should my immediate action be if I have another episode of weakness and low Bp? How low is dangerously low Bp?

How low is dangerously low?

Answered by Dr. Dr Sameer Maheshwari (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:

Bp should be above 100/60mm Hg

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Sorry for the late reply. I was engaged somewhere.
It's good you are taking aspirin and you should continue taking it. Aspirin does not have any effect on BP.

And as I told you earlier also that you should reduce the dose of Lisinopril so that you do not get such symptoms again.

The dose can be further titrated according to your bp but currently, it has to be reduced. Keep the bp above 100/60mm Hg.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Sameer Maheshwari, Cardiologist

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana