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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Can Dehydration Cause Increased Heart Rate, Dizziness And Headache?

My 25 year old daughter has experienced a racing heart, chest pain, now faintness and head ache. Blood test showed slight dehydration but I am concerned there is an underlying problem they are not thinking about because of her age. She is 5'6" and weighs 150
Wed, 16 Jul 2014
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Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Thank you for the query.
As per the history, your daughter is 25 yrs with symptoms of palpitation, Chest pain, dizziness and headache. Her BMI is approximately 24 kg/m2.
First to answer your query, these symptoms can occur in severe dehydration, but the important question is why will your daughter have dehydration in the first place. In this context I would like to ask whether she had any recent episodes of severe diarrhoea or vomiting, and whether her daily fluid intake is sufficient or not. I would also like to enquire whether she has excessive urination, whether her menstrual cycle is normal or not and if there is any family history of cardiac ailments.
There are hardly any blood tests which can point towards dehydration except for serum sodium (which is increased) and in some cases serum osmolality. Clinically her skin and tongue would be dry and her pulse volume will be feeble. Another easy method to check for dehydration is postural hypotension (first check her blood pressure in the lying down position, then make her stand and check her BP after 2-3 minutes, a fall in Systolic BP of 20mm of Hg and Diastolic BP of 10 mm of Hg or more, is positive).
I would recommend certain investigations in her case - serum Hemoglobin (since anemia can often present with palpitation and dizziness), a thyroid profile and blood sugar screening (which can cause dizziness). A 12 lead ECG is suggested (since she has symptoms of palpitation and chest pain), to rule out any underlying cardiac ailment. In the meantime I would advise her to have sufficient fluid intake, a nutritious diet and to avoid any strenuous exercise.
In case the investigations have any abnormality, you need to visit your primary physician for a thorough check up and a management plan.
Hope this helps you out.
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Can Dehydration Cause Increased Heart Rate, Dizziness And Headache?

Thank you for the query. As per the history, your daughter is 25 yrs with symptoms of palpitation, Chest pain, dizziness and headache. Her BMI is approximately 24 kg/m2. First to answer your query, these symptoms can occur in severe dehydration, but the important question is why will your daughter have dehydration in the first place. In this context I would like to ask whether she had any recent episodes of severe diarrhoea or vomiting, and whether her daily fluid intake is sufficient or not. I would also like to enquire whether she has excessive urination, whether her menstrual cycle is normal or not and if there is any family history of cardiac ailments. There are hardly any blood tests which can point towards dehydration except for serum sodium (which is increased) and in some cases serum osmolality. Clinically her skin and tongue would be dry and her pulse volume will be feeble. Another easy method to check for dehydration is postural hypotension (first check her blood pressure in the lying down position, then make her stand and check her BP after 2-3 minutes, a fall in Systolic BP of 20mm of Hg and Diastolic BP of 10 mm of Hg or more, is positive). I would recommend certain investigations in her case - serum Hemoglobin (since anemia can often present with palpitation and dizziness), a thyroid profile and blood sugar screening (which can cause dizziness). A 12 lead ECG is suggested (since she has symptoms of palpitation and chest pain), to rule out any underlying cardiac ailment. In the meantime I would advise her to have sufficient fluid intake, a nutritious diet and to avoid any strenuous exercise. In case the investigations have any abnormality, you need to visit your primary physician for a thorough check up and a management plan. Hope this helps you out.