What is wrong with my Dad? early stroke signs? circulation problems? help!

[soleole]

Hi,
My Dad just confessed he's having the following symptoms:

Daytime:
-sometimes he feels "pressure" on his carotid artery (neck) as if he could feel the blood or it were getting inflamed.
-he cannot lay down to watch tv for example because he starts getting dizzy as if the blood was not getting to his head.

Nighttime:
-He can only sleep almost sitting up, if he lays down he wakes up dizzy, with nausea, short of breath, and has to walk around to make it go away.

Background info:

He had a heart attack about 3 years ago, but everything's been fine since then, he takes meds for the heart/cholesterol/blood pressure etc. which is all normal.

I'm quite worried and trying to convince him to go to the doc, but it might take a while and want to have an idea of what's going on.

any help is greatly appreciated.

[ed34]

If you are having trouble convincing him, bypass him. He is obviously worried to have confessed. He may be angry at first, but he will be thanking you after. I would just call his doctor and explain the situation, maybe they will do a home visit.

[ed34]

I would get him to the hospital and have them check his carotid arteries which supply the neck and head with oxygenated blood. This will take a simple echo scan. I wouldn't
be messing around with it, I would be there immediately just to be sure. It could just be a pulled muscle, trapped nerve or even an infection, but it's best to be on the safe side.
My mother in law had those exact symptoms and she waited until she was fainting before seeking medical advice. Her carotid arteries are quite blocked and they are organising to stent them. For now, medication is helping a great deal.

[mammo]

It sounds like a lack of blood flow, but it's best to work with his doctor who knows his health history.  I know it's difficult to feel so helpless with your dad, but he's obviously concerned or he would not have told you.  Ask him to please get it checked out even if just for you (of course it's for him too).  Tell him you are so worried about him that it is affecting your sleep and ability to function.  We will do anything to protect our children, so try making it about you, instead of him. I hope this works.  Take care..