HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

Had A Quad By-pass And Pacemaker In The Past. Feeling Stuffy Head, Headaches, Dizziness. Need Help

default
Posted on Mon, 16 Jul 2012
Question: I am 85 years old and active. Had quad by-pass 10 years ago...have pace maker. Recently, I've been plagued with stuffy headedness and headaches causing dizziness and balance problems. Can you help?

Addendum to medical history...Blood pressure is fairly constant...it hovers around 118/70
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anil Grover (5 hours later)
Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing in.
I am a cardiologist and read your mail with diligence.
It goes to your credit that you maintaining rather good health despite quadruple bypass, a pacemaker and dilated heart with a regimen of drugs diet and exercise. Please accept my compliments.

About your headaches one information you have provided that your blood pressure is normal. Will you kindly answer the following question so that we can pin down the exact cause for headache.

1. Off late, because of your illness or otherwise have started feeling stress?
2. Which part of headache aches most?
3. Is it eppisodic headaches or one continuous dull ache?
4. Are you getting other symptoms like cough, sneeze, cold and cough off late?
5. Are your teeth and gums healthy? Do you wear dentures, if so, is it well fit?
6. Do you wear spectacles? If so when was the last time you got your eyesight checked?

Hoping to hear from you as followup query before I answer your main question. I hope you indulge me.
Thank You

Dr Anil Grover
Cardiologist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Anil Grover (13 hours later)
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

Thanks so much for your answer...and for the pertinent questions.
I have been experiencing some stress...selling our home and moving to a new community. However, the symptoms I've described were already present before the moving project commenced. The headaches are frontal and they are continuous, dull and dizzying. I'm having no other symptoms. I have my own teeth and they are healthy. I get regular eye check ups, my glasses are about two years old. My vision is good. I have slight hearing loss...do not have hearing aids. I live with my wife of 65 years and we are very happy. I drive where ever I want and have never had an accident.

Naturally, I do not have a lot of energy; I rest frequently and the symptoms I've described are lessened when I'm sitting.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Anil Grover (8 hours later)
Hi XXXXXXX

Thank you for answering my questions. We can exclude dental, eye and to some extent migraine as cause of the pain. That narrows down to Stress Headache or Tension Headache.

I have already given you my compliments for bearing all you went through with equanimity and super human patience. Whatever, we may say our body is human and it has its own ways to warm you. Time has come when you have to learn to relax and take it easy, too much of strain which you might not perceive body will react in the form of some symptoms and headache is one of those. Please do progressive muscular relaxation exercises, a yogic exercise, found extremely useful in such situation ( also called "Shawasanam" as per instruction below). Tell me after 15 days how much relief you have:

Instructions
1. Lying on your back, let the arms and legs drop open, with the arms about 45 degrees from the side of your body. Make sure you are warm and comfortable, if you need to place blankets under or over your body.

2. Close the eyes, and take slow XXXXXXX breaths through the nose. Allow your whole body to become soft and heavy, letting it relax into the floor. As the body relaxes, feel the whole body rising and falling with each breath.

3. Scan the body from the toes to the fingers to the crown of the head, looking for tension, tightness and contracted muscles. Consciously release and relax any areas that you find. If you need to, rock or wiggl part sof your body from side to side to encourage further release.

4. Release all control of the breath, the mind, and the body. Let your body move deeper and deeper into a state of total relaxation.

5. Stay in Shavasana for 5 to 15 minutes.

6. To release: slowly deepen the breath, wiggle the fingers and toes, reach the arms over your head and stretch the whole body, exhale bend the knees into the chest and roll over to one side coming into a fetal position. When you are ready, slowly inhale up to a seated position.

Benefits
Benefits: Corpse pose is essential to practice at the end of every yoga practice. This posture rejuvenates the body, mind and spirit while reducing stress and tension.
Modifications + Variations
Modifications: Place a bolster or blankets under the low back and/or knees.

If you have any further question please ask, I will be most happy to answer.
Best Wishes.


Dr Anil Grover
Cardiologist


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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Anil Grover

Cardiologist

Practicing since :1981

Answered : 922 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
Had A Quad By-pass And Pacemaker In The Past. Feeling Stuffy Head, Headaches, Dizziness. Need Help

Hi XXXXXXX

Thanks for writing in.
I am a cardiologist and read your mail with diligence.
It goes to your credit that you maintaining rather good health despite quadruple bypass, a pacemaker and dilated heart with a regimen of drugs diet and exercise. Please accept my compliments.

About your headaches one information you have provided that your blood pressure is normal. Will you kindly answer the following question so that we can pin down the exact cause for headache.

1. Off late, because of your illness or otherwise have started feeling stress?
2. Which part of headache aches most?
3. Is it eppisodic headaches or one continuous dull ache?
4. Are you getting other symptoms like cough, sneeze, cold and cough off late?
5. Are your teeth and gums healthy? Do you wear dentures, if so, is it well fit?
6. Do you wear spectacles? If so when was the last time you got your eyesight checked?

Hoping to hear from you as followup query before I answer your main question. I hope you indulge me.
Thank You

Dr Anil Grover
Cardiologist