Can lightheadedness and nausea be related to a heart condition?

[CarolC1006]

I had a heart attack and stroke 14 months ago. After stent implantation, I recovered fully. I take a lot of maintenance meds. I haven't had one day since when I've felt great or even my old self, but it's tolerable.

Three days ago, I had an incidence of lightheadedness and nausea. I had just arrived at an outdoor concert. An usher called the medics and my BP was through the roof (198/98), as was my sugar (204). I had taken my BP and diabetes medicine as prescribed that morning. I was taken to the ER, where they ruled out heart attack or stroke. They gave me fluids and Zofran and sent me home.

Last night, watching TV in bed in an air-conditioned room, it happened again. Consequently, I had trouble sleeping and feel shaky this morning and have a pulsating feeling on the top of my skull. What could this be?

[Red_Star]

I have to assume you are on statins (cholesterol lowering medication).  Statin drugs are often associated with side-effects including nausea, headaches, dizziness, sleep disturbances, sexual dysfunction, fatigue, shortness of breath, memory loss, liver problems, muscle weakness, muscle pain, peripheral neuropathy and cardiomyopathy due to a depletion of Coenzyme Q10.

If you aren't taking CoQ10, start immediately.

[CarolC1006]

Thank you. I'm on my third statin, Pravastatin, because I couldn't tolerate Lipitor or Crestor (severe muscle aches). I was allowed to stop statins entirely for a month, but had to go back on them as my cholesterol shot up, even though I'm careful with my diet and am exercising. I have a family history on both sides of very high cholesterol, and my doctor said you can't do anything about genetics.

I will pick up some CoQ10 immediately.