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What Causes Dizziness When Suffering From Borderline Hypertension?
Question: Hi I am 27 and I have borderline hypertension 135/90. High cholesterol. Tachycardia as high as 110 when stressed. And I am slightly overweight 165cm and weigh about 68-70 kg... how at risk am I of having a heart attack. I get really short of breath when I exercise. And I have episodes of dizziness. Do I need an ecg done.
Brief Answer:
risk is low
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
Normally doctors use risk calculators to determine a person's approximate cardiovascular risk. One popular risk calculator is called the framington risk calculator.
It is used to determine the risk of a possible heart attack within 10 years.
To use it the following information is needed: (1)age, (2) total cholesterol level (3) HDL cholesterol (4) history of smoking (5) blood pressure and whether on medication for high blood pressure
If you can provide- smoking history, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol then would be able to more accurately predict your risk
If the cholesterol medication is not available then based on the information provided and using a mildly high total cholesterol value in the risk calculator- your risk is between 1 to 2%.
This means that between 1 to 2 people out of 100 with this level of risk would have a heart attack in an 10 year period.
It is a very low risk.
An ECG may be suggested if you experience chest pains or palpitations (abnormal heart beats). Exercise causes the heart to beat fast so the palpitations would be included if they occur in the absence of exercise.
It may not be necessary at this stage if the shortness of breath is only on exercise.
There are different causes for dizziness such as : (1) inner ear conditions especially if there are episodes of vertigo (sensation of room or person spinning)
(2)decreased fluid intake
(3)side effect of medication
(4)anemia
(5)fatigue
(6)orthostatic hypotension- low blood pressure on standing
(7) heart disease
(8)anxiety
(9)infection or underlying illness
If the dizziness continues or worsens, your may want to consider visiting your doctor for an assessment.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
risk is low
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
Normally doctors use risk calculators to determine a person's approximate cardiovascular risk. One popular risk calculator is called the framington risk calculator.
It is used to determine the risk of a possible heart attack within 10 years.
To use it the following information is needed: (1)age, (2) total cholesterol level (3) HDL cholesterol (4) history of smoking (5) blood pressure and whether on medication for high blood pressure
If you can provide- smoking history, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol then would be able to more accurately predict your risk
If the cholesterol medication is not available then based on the information provided and using a mildly high total cholesterol value in the risk calculator- your risk is between 1 to 2%.
This means that between 1 to 2 people out of 100 with this level of risk would have a heart attack in an 10 year period.
It is a very low risk.
An ECG may be suggested if you experience chest pains or palpitations (abnormal heart beats). Exercise causes the heart to beat fast so the palpitations would be included if they occur in the absence of exercise.
It may not be necessary at this stage if the shortness of breath is only on exercise.
There are different causes for dizziness such as : (1) inner ear conditions especially if there are episodes of vertigo (sensation of room or person spinning)
(2)decreased fluid intake
(3)side effect of medication
(4)anemia
(5)fatigue
(6)orthostatic hypotension- low blood pressure on standing
(7) heart disease
(8)anxiety
(9)infection or underlying illness
If the dizziness continues or worsens, your may want to consider visiting your doctor for an assessment.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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