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What Causes Sudden Fall Of Heart Beat Causing Headaches And Dizziness?
I need an opinion as far as surgical risk. My grandmother in law is 92 years old. She had a pacemaker placed approximately 2 years ago when she was found to have a heart rate of 32 following a fall. She is diabetic and has hypertension. She had complaints on Saturday of a headache and dizziness. I highly suggested that she be taken to the ER. In the ER her BP was 200/94, pacer was working at a rate of 68. They did an ultrasound of her carotids. Over the 10 days prior to and on Saturday she had a couple of episodes of confusion and possibly slurring her words but this would pass. We found out on Sunday that the Doppler revealed 75% and 50% blockage of the carotids. My question....is she such a surgical risk that they will leave this blockage untreated as far as surgery or stinting. One doctor said that there was a huge risk related to the pacemaker and that if they do surgery the plaque could break off and go to the heart. This does not make much sense to me. I am a nurse but not a cardiac nurse. Any information would be much appreciated. Thank you! Quick question.......the initial screens for your website say that this is a free service but it does not appear to be free.
Wed, 24 Dec 2014
Hello,Thankyou for the Question,
Brief..As because of the old age,and slow heart rate (less blood circulation),diabetes, and atherosclerosis ,there are chances of more complications than cure of the blockage.
Detail...Since first of all,your grand mother is 92 years old,at this age there are lots of chances that arteries become sclerotic (stiff) and slow pumping of blood,even without any major disease.But your grand mother has got already number of major diseases (diabetes,hypertention and above all heart block) ,these all diseases causes increased chances of atherosclerosis and plaque formation.During surgery anesthesia it self can cause major complications and the plaque can dislodge and block other vessels easily mostly of brain and heart,which can further cause damage and even death.
As a surgeon always compare between favours and complicatios of a surgery, if there are more chances of complications as compare to cure then some difficult decisinons needs to be taken.
Hopefully My answer will be helpfull for you.You may ask anytime further without any hesitation.
Regards,Dr.Maheshwari
Brief..As because of the old age,and slow heart rate (less blood circulation),diabetes, and atherosclerosis ,there are chances of more complications than cure of the blockage.
Detail...Since first of all,your grand mother is 92 years old,at this age there are lots of chances that arteries become sclerotic (stiff) and slow pumping of blood,even without any major disease.But your grand mother has got already number of major diseases (diabetes,hypertention and above all heart block) ,these all diseases causes increased chances of atherosclerosis and plaque formation.During surgery anesthesia it self can cause major complications and the plaque can dislodge and block other vessels easily mostly of brain and heart,which can further cause damage and even death.
As a surgeon always compare between favours and complicatios of a surgery, if there are more chances of complications as compare to cure then some difficult decisinons needs to be taken.
Hopefully My answer will be helpfull for you.You may ask anytime further without any hesitation.
Regards,Dr.Maheshwari
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