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Had Supraventricular Tachycardia With Heart Ablation. Switched From Fosinopril To Toprol. Having Blurred Vision. Side Effect?

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Posted on Thu, 7 Mar 2013
Question: SVT with heart ablation 1 year ago.
Recently switched from Fosinopril to Toprol XL because BP was rising with no reason. CT scan of head and chest clear. Stress test performed yesterday, no problem with heart. Stopped smoking 1 week ago.
Have blurred vision for things up close. Head feels full, lightheaded, ringing in ears. Sometimes feel like I could pass out. Feel tired, weak, tolerance of cold is low. I will feel startled, then have head pressure, light headed and dizzy. I am taking 100 mg Toprol XL in the morning, and 10 mg lisonopril in the evening. Also ringing in ears.

Cardiologist said I may be having migraine XXXXXXX I don't know what to do.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (38 minutes later)
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for posting on XXXXXXX

After reading through your description I do understand that you are really suffering and require some indepth into your problem.
There are two most probable causes of your problem, first you maybe having a poorly treated hypertensive crisis ( which will present with the symptoms as you mentioned) or you may be having a thyroid disorder (poor tolerance to cold, weakness, fatigue and headache, tinnitus/ringing ears). Your BP needs to be checked regularly and see if it reaches target value (< 140/80) since you are already on BP medication. If not controlled you should see your cardiologist for readjustment of dosage or change of drugs (BP drugs can be combined upto 4 and full dosage is allowed while monitoring closely potential side effects). A diuretic should be included.
Now the possibility of secondary hypertension to thyroid disorder should be investigated closely by an internist or endocrinologist. Testing of TSH, T3, T4 levels in blood could tell if any thyroid disorders.
Your doctor could also prescribe or you could take OTC for the headache, tinnitus and antifatigue medications (just to management the symptoms while waiting to treat the cause). You should also be tested for anemia and associated heart failure should be ruled out. Medications to prevent cardiovascular (coronary heart diseases and cerebrovascular accidents should be given too because of the high risk of you developing those).

Hope this helps and write back if you need further clarifications
Dr Nsah
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Nsah Bernard (23 hours later)
I have closely followed my BP. My cardiologist suggested that either the Toprol or migraine XXXXXXX could be causing the dizziness. My family Dr, has reduced my toprol to 50 mg in morning. I am still on Lisonopril 10 mg in evening. I also take a medicine for acid reflux. Cardiologist says my heart is good, no problems there. I still have ringing in ears and the feeling of sea sickness or motion sickness, especially as I move my eyes from keyboard to screen. My family Dr is sending me to a neurologist.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Nsah Bernard (7 minutes later)
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for updating.
If you are BP is well controlled and your cardiologist says your heart has no problem, then we are left with finding the cause for your ENT problem (tinnitus, sensation of sea sickness/motion sickness) which could also be neurological or investigate a thyroid problem as I earlier mentioned.
After seeing your neurologist as advised by your family doctor, please also see an ENT specialist and Endocrinologist. My suggestion is as a result of your description and i will recommend those two specialties. Non the less the opinion of your family doctor is paramount.

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

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Nsah Bernard

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2012

Answered : 1704 Questions

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Had Supraventricular Tachycardia With Heart Ablation. Switched From Fosinopril To Toprol. Having Blurred Vision. Side Effect?

Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for posting on XXXXXXX

After reading through your description I do understand that you are really suffering and require some indepth into your problem.
There are two most probable causes of your problem, first you maybe having a poorly treated hypertensive crisis ( which will present with the symptoms as you mentioned) or you may be having a thyroid disorder (poor tolerance to cold, weakness, fatigue and headache, tinnitus/ringing ears). Your BP needs to be checked regularly and see if it reaches target value (< 140/80) since you are already on BP medication. If not controlled you should see your cardiologist for readjustment of dosage or change of drugs (BP drugs can be combined upto 4 and full dosage is allowed while monitoring closely potential side effects). A diuretic should be included.
Now the possibility of secondary hypertension to thyroid disorder should be investigated closely by an internist or endocrinologist. Testing of TSH, T3, T4 levels in blood could tell if any thyroid disorders.
Your doctor could also prescribe or you could take OTC for the headache, tinnitus and antifatigue medications (just to management the symptoms while waiting to treat the cause). You should also be tested for anemia and associated heart failure should be ruled out. Medications to prevent cardiovascular (coronary heart diseases and cerebrovascular accidents should be given too because of the high risk of you developing those).

Hope this helps and write back if you need further clarifications
Dr Nsah