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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Vertigo And Fatigue After Having BP Medicine?

I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, and am currently taking Metopropol (after a few years taking Atenolol). I exercise regularly (walk approx 4 miles a day (approx 4.0 mph) sometime in our neighborhood with steep hills). Since beginning blood pressure medication, I have been experiencing a lot of light-headedness, dizziness, and weakness. I passed out once, and have been very careful since then. I had a headache last night that kept me awake most of the night, and when I got up, I felt like passing out. For a couple hours, I would exert myself at all, I had to lean over to keep from fainting. It was definitely worse when I would climb stairs. I ate breakfast (a vegetable and fruit smoothy), drank lemon water, and a couple other glasses of water, and after taking a 45-minute nap, I feel better, but I still feel faint - even when walking across the room. This light-headedness began when I started taking blood-pressure medicine, and I have assumed that is why the symptoms have continued.
Mon, 7 Mar 2016
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Critical Care Specialist,  's  Response
Hi, there are many causes of dizziness and fatigue after the use of medications for hypertension such as a sudden fall in blood pressure, orthostatic hypotension, symptomatic bradycardia.

These causes are related to syncope and pre syncope you reported (fainting and feeling faint). It is important you check your pressure during these crises, write down the values and lead to his cardiologist. Another way to search is to ambulatory blood pressure and even a Holter 24 hours to assess the possibility of bradycardia (slowing the heartbeat).

In the investigation of syncope we should do an echocardiogram to rule out diseases such as severe aortic stenosis, exercise stress test and even a tilt test (patient is lying in a special bed that after a few minutes is placed in standing position for 30 minutes or more).

As you see, it is not something simple, an experienced cardiologist is necessary to define exactly what is happening to you. For now, check your blood pressure, write down and bring to the cardiologist of your choice.

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 Vertigo And Fatigue After Having BP Medicine?

Hi, there are many causes of dizziness and fatigue after the use of medications for hypertension such as a sudden fall in blood pressure, orthostatic hypotension, symptomatic bradycardia. These causes are related to syncope and pre syncope you reported (fainting and feeling faint). It is important you check your pressure during these crises, write down the values and lead to his cardiologist. Another way to search is to ambulatory blood pressure and even a Holter 24 hours to assess the possibility of bradycardia (slowing the heartbeat). In the investigation of syncope we should do an echocardiogram to rule out diseases such as severe aortic stenosis, exercise stress test and even a tilt test (patient is lying in a special bed that after a few minutes is placed in standing position for 30 minutes or more). As you see, it is not something simple, an experienced cardiologist is necessary to define exactly what is happening to you. For now, check your blood pressure, write down and bring to the cardiologist of your choice. Hope I have answered your question. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help you. Wish you good health.