Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Could Be The Cause For Head Spinning And Sweating While Suffering From Hypertension?
Question: My father is 49 years old weighing 83-85 kgs. He suffers from hypertension and has high triglycerides levels(high risk zone). He takes 1 tablet of atten 25(morning) , 1 of stamlo 2.5(evening) and 1 tonact everyday. His blood sugar levels are on the border line . He gets his BP , Sugar and lipid profile checked quarterly . He also gets echocardiography under his cardiologists supervision done once in a year and so far the it shows normal results. However since last 6 months he has been getting a feeling of discomfort , for 2-3 seconds his head spins he starts sweating but it last only for abt 5-10 seconds maximum, this happens once or twice a month . we have been speculating it may be because his blood pressure falls/sugar at that moment . He generally maintains 120/80 bp. We are considering CT Angiogram in order to find out if there is any blockage in any arteries of the heart. But again angiogram has its own set of side effects like it harms the kidneys and increases the risk of cancer. His other reports like show normal conditions so would angiogram be necessary ? or could it just be that his Blood Pressure or Sugar levels gets too low and so such incidents happen?
He jogs/Brisk walks 50 mins 4 days a week, Plays table tennis every sunday for abt 2 hours. He is particularly fond of sweets and generally takes homemade light food but consumption of sweets is on a daily basis. His kidney function tests and liver function tests are normal. Theres a history of diabetes and heart disease(hypertension) in the family.
Brief Answer:
Yes / work up further
Detailed Answer:
Dear friend,
Welcome to Health Care Magic
You are right.
Fall of pressure (Postural Hypotension) or sugar (Hypoglycaemia) could account for his symptoms.
However, other issues should be investigated…
It can be simple anaemia – what is his haemoglobin?
The body's balancing mechanism is in the inner ear. An ENT (Ear Nose Throat) specialist is the one to see - they have special tests to confirm or exclude the contribution of the ear.
If the ear is excluded, he should be seen by a neurologist. / MRI may be needed. MRA (MRI angiography) shows blood vessels and is generally done at the same sitting. The same process affects the blood vessels there too...
If there are no clues, he has to be investigated again by his Cardiologist! HOLTER (24 to 48 hour ambulatory monitoring – for arrhythmia) / ECHOcardiogram (for clot) / TMT (Treadmill exercise ECG – for ischemia / preferably with thallium isotope) / LABORATORY work-up – may all be necessary for further assessment and assistance.
CT angio is non-invasive study for the anatomy (structure). If positive, he will need catheterisation, anyway, which though invasive is the gold standard for this. TMT tests the function and is the first choice to evaluate ischemia
The treating doctor may suggest them depending on need, based on his assessment of the situation.
Good luck
Take care
Wishing all well
God bless
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank your for your answer sir ! We shall go about the investigation as suggested by you.
His Haemoglobin level ranges at the lower limit for men between 12.9 - h13.2.
I would also like to mention that he takes cartigen for he has been diagnosed with very early stages of osteoarthritis due to pain in his knees. Also he takes Gebaneuron to alleviate body aches esp upper back. Also i would like to mention that he does not consume alcohol or smoke or tobacco. But his profession as a financial advisor involves him to talk a lot on cellphone with clients and bankers . And also since hes a little short tempered in situations of stress he get feels discomfort and heaviness in a nerve at the back of his forehead.
Brief Answer:
Need to relax
Detailed Answer:
Hi
It is great that he does not smoke or drink
His haemoglobin is reasonable
His personality appears to be unfavourable Type A – he should learn to relax / psychological assessment, yoga, relaxation techniques, biofeedback and so on help in the long run.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
