Extreme Dizziness

  My mother has been very dizzy for the last three months.  She is a heart  patient and a diabetic.  She is taking six different medications. They are glyburide, tamoxifen, vasotec, coumadin, digoxin,  amlodipine. She has been taking digoxin and coumadin for 24 years.  She has taken tamoxifen for 4+ years.  She has been taking vasotec and amlodipine for about a year.  I am  very concerned that she may be taking too much blood pressure medicine or that she may be taking the wrong combinations of medications.  Her blood pressure was until recently averaging 145/70.  It raised to 190/70 when the doctor put her on the medications.  These medications lowered her blood pressure to 180/70 on average.  In the past three months she has lost her b alance and fallen three times, fortunately not with any serious consequences, however, it is a dangerous situation.  Any insight or advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you Regina

[CCF Cardio MD-SGM]

Dear Regina,
Although medications can certainly be a cause for dizziness, especially blood pressure medications, your mother's blood pressure is high, not low, and would thus be unlikely to cause her dizziness.    Causes for dizziness and falls in the elderly are quite broad, and inclue problems with nerve sensation, inner ear disorders, medications, disordered blood flow to the brain,  abnormal heart rhythms, and many others.
You are quite correct that these falls are extremely dangerous, and will most certainly lead to serious complications (such as a hip fracture, for example) if not corrected.  I recommend that you see a geriatrician with expertise in problems of dizziness and balance.  A neurologist might also be a consideration.  However, from the blood pressure numbers you've provided me, it is not evident that the blood pressure medications are responsible for these symptoms.  Also, it is important that your mother receive instruction on how to prevent falls, such as removing rugs and obstacles that may interfere with balance and consider using a walker for support.  
Information in the Heart Forum is for general purposes.  Specific diagnoses and therapies can only be provided by your physician.