Constant dizziness

[johanni]

On a previous post here I found the advice very helpfull.I have had an angiogram recently in march which showed normal arteries.The cardiologist assured me that I am fine.However I still feel dizzy and sometimes notice skipped beats.I also get some chest discomfort and in the left arm.Have also had stress echoes done in the last 4 months.All the doctors tell me it is anxiety and stress.I have done all the testing which is negative.What do you think could be causing these symptoms.My cholesterol is very good and bp 110/60.Would you consider a holter monitor as the final test?Any advice would be appreciated.
Regards,
Dimi.

[Forum-M.D.-MJM]

Hi Dimi,
There is no evidence pointing to your heart.  I know people don't like to hear this, but it does sound like anxiety may be the cause.  Have you tried taking medications like prozac/zoloft/etc -- there about 20 medications in this class now.  One of them may help your symptoms and I think is probably the best place to start looking now.  I assume there is no evidence that your blood pressure drops when you stand?
I hope this helps.  Thanks for posting.

[Smitty150]

I would have thought a Holter should have been tried by now.

Keep after the docs. Yes, stress can play havoc with your heart,

but this doesn't mean they shouldn't TREAT the stress if need be.

[JP333]

I believe stress can definitely cause symptoms such as constant dizziness and heart palpitations (skipped beats).  I had both for about a year and a half while going through a stressfull period.  My symptoms of dizziness and palpitations really worried me and I think turned my stress into a constant generalized anxiety.  I'm not sure of the cause of the dizziness, but I have read that stress can lead to TMJ and sternocleidomastoid issues that can cause persistant feelings of dizziness.  I had a 48 hour holter and an ECG done and both can back fine.  A brain MRI showed nothing wrong.  The dizziness and palpitations gradually subsided as my anxitey subsided.  Good Luck.

[nene41]

I also had an angio done back in 2005 because i had st depression while on the tredmill, my cardiologist was suspicious of small vessel disease, so i wanted a second opinion so i went to the mayo clinic in minneapolis , mn the Dr,s there said everything looks ok, I still have pacs&svt left arm pain chest pain &very dizzy also, My bp has been high lately too wonder if this could be the cause 148/92 today. This dizziness is getting very hard to function, I went to my reguler dr today he says its vertigo do you have any advice sure would help. I,am only 41, feel like 61 these days, I have 4 children ages 5,7.18,&20. I have also had many tests echos ekgs blood work angio,Also i would like to note my father died at 46 from cornary artery disease& small vessel disease. How long did it take you to get through to post your question i can,t seem to get through.

[johanni]

Thank you all for your comments and advice.I think stress is a major factor in my symptoms and will consider treatment.I was able to post on this forum quite easily maybe because I am posting at odd hours.I live in Australia.I found this forum by chance and have heard the high reputation that the physicians at the Cleveland Clinic have.Is it true that angiography was actually developed at the clinic?
Regards,
Dimi.

[Forum-M.D.-MJM]

During an aortic root angiogram the catheter slipped into the right coronary artery and shot the first coronary angiogram.  The technique was refined thereafter.

[Kilaph2447]

Am a patient, not a doc, but have had several yrs of on-again-off-again spells of dizziness. My 1st doc contact was a neuro-opthamologist, who nailed it then by prescribing Diamox. I subsequently was diag w/ MS which I am NOT saying is your problem. BUT - are you on statins for cholesterol issues? Do you maybe have med interactions? Maybe an endocrinologist could do a workup on what is flowing thru your veins, w/ a consulting pharmacologist which is what I did. I still have periodic spells, but it is the MS from what my neurologist tells me. No more Diamox, as that was related to a high reading of my Cerebral Spinal Fluid pressure, now OK, and thus not appropriate any longer. So: A neurologist/endocrinologist/pharmacologist team put me into a "good place". And insurance paid a good bit of it.
You'll probably need family doc referrals to get insurance coverage. But I ended up w/ a very manag-eable situation. GOOD LUCK!