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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Are Lightheadedness And Double Vision Signs Of A Stroke?

My mother is on a lot of medications, she is 79 and has had open heart surgery in 2002. She has been seeing double and feeling light headed. It usually lasts 3 to 5 minutes and passes. It has been happening every day for a week or longer. I am worried, could she be having mini strokes?
Wed, 25 Oct 2017
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Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
There is a small possibility this could be a 'mini stroke', but it is unlikely. This is not a true stroke. Strokes cause permanent lasting problems, such as numbness, inability to move a limb or your face, difficulty with speech are a few examples. There is an entity called "TIA", transient ischemic attack, which is sometimes referred to a mini stroke. These are like a stroke, but only last a few minutes and go away. It would be most unusual for TIAs to present every single day, and also with the same exact set of symptoms. It sounds like your mother needs to be evaluated fully by a physician, including exams and lab tests, as her symptoms could be an indicator of a number of other possible problems, such as a heart problem or a medication reaction.

The response written above is a medical opinion, and does not substitute an evaluation by a medical professional. I cannot guarantee accuracy in my answer when I cannot physically evaluate you, and do not know your past medical history, the medications you are on, your lifestyle habits, etc; therefore I cannot be held liable for consequences that occur as a result of your health condition.
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Are Lightheadedness And Double Vision Signs Of A Stroke?

There is a small possibility this could be a mini stroke , but it is unlikely. This is not a true stroke. Strokes cause permanent lasting problems, such as numbness, inability to move a limb or your face, difficulty with speech are a few examples. There is an entity called TIA , transient ischemic attack, which is sometimes referred to a mini stroke. These are like a stroke, but only last a few minutes and go away. It would be most unusual for TIAs to present every single day, and also with the same exact set of symptoms. It sounds like your mother needs to be evaluated fully by a physician, including exams and lab tests, as her symptoms could be an indicator of a number of other possible problems, such as a heart problem or a medication reaction. The response written above is a medical opinion, and does not substitute an evaluation by a medical professional. I cannot guarantee accuracy in my answer when I cannot physically evaluate you, and do not know your past medical history, the medications you are on, your lifestyle habits, etc; therefore I cannot be held liable for consequences that occur as a result of your health condition.