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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Loss Of Balance In A Person With High BP?

I have lost my balance several times in the past few days, this is a new thing for me. I did just return from a trip to the mountains, and last week started taking a diuretic because by blood pressure was a little high, but other than that nothing has changed. Please advise. Lisa B
Fri, 4 Mar 2016
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Critical Care Specialist,  's  Response
Hello, Lisa, there are several causes for the loss of balance, the most common is not related to blood pressure levels and is known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a horrible name, but it is not a serious illness. It occurs when some pebbles that we all have within our inner ears leave their usual place. Typically, they send signals to the brain about the position of the head relative to gravity. When they leave the place, they start to send wrong signals of position, coming into conflict with the coming of sight information, generating a loss of balance. And it is common that these stones leave the site after trips to high mountains after ship trips or even plane.

Both very high blood pressure levels, as the very low can also cause loss of balance, but is much less common than benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. So it is not safe to take medications to lower blood pressure, such as diuretics, and it may even worsen the symptoms.

I suggest you look for a ENT specialist to evaluate and treat possible benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and a cardiologist to determine if you have high blood pressure and need to take medications or can begin treatment only with changes in lifestyle.

Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help you. Wish you good health.
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What Causes Loss Of Balance In A Person With High BP?

Hello, Lisa, there are several causes for the loss of balance, the most common is not related to blood pressure levels and is known as benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo is a horrible name, but it is not a serious illness. It occurs when some pebbles that we all have within our inner ears leave their usual place. Typically, they send signals to the brain about the position of the head relative to gravity. When they leave the place, they start to send wrong signals of position, coming into conflict with the coming of sight information, generating a loss of balance. And it is common that these stones leave the site after trips to high mountains after ship trips or even plane. Both very high blood pressure levels, as the very low can also cause loss of balance, but is much less common than benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. So it is not safe to take medications to lower blood pressure, such as diuretics, and it may even worsen the symptoms. I suggest you look for a ENT specialist to evaluate and treat possible benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and a cardiologist to determine if you have high blood pressure and need to take medications or can begin treatment only with changes in lifestyle. Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help you. Wish you good health.