child having dizzy spells

Posted by melissa on May 03, 1999 at 18:05:55
I have a question about my nine year old son.  He has been diagnosed with asthma. He has two medicines that he can take.  One being chromolyn sodium and the other albuterol.  I have done his peak flow daily and they are in his range 300-330.  He does this without his medicines.  So I have taken them away.  When he over exerts himself though, he becomes majorly diZzy and I have to go and get him from school because he vomits.  I have him take his peak flow at these times and they are again normal.  He has been having more lately and I am getting worried.  When he was six he had some test done on his heart and was found to have a slower heart rate than most kids his age but they did not find any heart disease going on.  Why would his heart rate be slower.  Would this cause him to be dizzy.  Should I be worried or am I just being paranoid.  There is heart disease on both sides of the family.  His grandfather has a leaky valve and his cousin was diagnosed with hplPosted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on May 09, 1999 at 20:37:33

Dear Melissa
I would listen to his heart. If I heard anything concerning, I would get an echocardiogram. If I got the same history from him that you gave, I may also do a stress test. If you do not have confidence in your doctors, take him to a larger medical center.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature.  Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor.  If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.