My 85 year old mom is light headed with heart palpitations

Posted by melissa123 @melissa123, Jan 23 4:41am

My 85 year old mom is light headed after she is standing. This has been happening over the last few weeks. It does not happen when she is just getting up. This happens after she has already been standing. She has also experienced some indigestion where she is burping. She will also experience heart palpitations periodically. She went to the ER and was monitored and tested for 24 hours with no findings. The ER doctor and cardiologist have found nothing wrong with her heart so they sent her home. She is relatively healthy and has no history of heart disease or any major illness. She has been on blood pressure medication for years. Her BP is fine. Maybe a little on the low side. When she was in the ambulance, her heart rate was a bit low. Its a mystery. No A-fib. What could it be?

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Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Jan 23 5:38am

melissa123 @melissa123
Does you mom have a primary provider, I would suggest following up with provider.

I had similar dizzy symptoms when my blood pressure was too low and my primary lowered my blood pressure meds. But, do not change meds without checking with provider.

Does she have a home blood pressure monitor? If so, have her start tracking / logging blood pressure at various times during day. It will be helpful information when she sees provider.

Laurie

Nemo1 | @nemo1 | Jan 23 8:25am

Make sure she is not getting dehydrated. It can mess with the body.

imallears | @imallears | Jan 23 4:48pm

While I am not saying that the following information is the cause of mom’s lightheadedness and low blood pressure, an undiagnosed UTI could be a contributing factor. UTIs are very common in older people and can cause a drop in blood pressure. She could have a UTI test taken to rule that possibility out. I am 82 and occasionally take D-Mannose for a week or so
if I feel a bit spacey, lightheaded or just not my usual self. Some people drink cranberry juice but you need to drink pure cranberry juice which is not always found in the supermarket..organic is best. D-Mannose is a supplement in pill or powder form. I would not recommend it for any length of time. A quick call to the primary doctor for a UTI test recommendation might be in order. Or you could buy a do it yourself UTI test which are sold in drug stores and easy to use. I can’t vouch for how accurate they are but it would be a start.

FL Mary

melissa123 | @melissa123 | Jan 23 6:54pm

Thank you for that advice. I'm not sure if they checked for that at the hospital but my daughter worked at a nursing home and also told her it could be a UTI. I'm not sure if her BP was that low but it wasn't high. She is wondering if it has to do with some sort of digestion issue. She also feels like she has gas and burps. Like an indigestion without the heartburn. She eats very healthy and is practically a vegetarian.

Melissa

melissa123 | @melissa123 | Jan 24 4:46am

In reply to @nemo1 "Make sure she is not getting dehydrated. It can mess with the body." + (show)

Yes I will mention drinking more water but I think she is drinking enough

melissa123 | @melissa123 | Jan 24 4:48am

In reply to @roch "melissa123 @melissa123 Does you mom have a primary provider, I would suggest following up with provider...." + (show)

Yes she is following up with her primary DR. and a cardiologist. She was going to ask for a blood pressure cuff. Thank you!

Laurie, Volunteer Mentor | @roch | Jan 24 6:06am

melissa123 @melissa123

I had problems with gas, bloating and burping and was caused by SIBO. Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth. But never caused dizziness. It is more common in people who have had stomach surgery.

Your mom might be a combination of mult things. Hope you find answers.

Laurie

Nemo1 | @nemo1 | Jan 24 7:50am

Hi Again,

Thats good. We didn’t know how little our mom was drinking until I put a Brita 26oz water bottle, marking the bottle every six oz. She was not drinking even with prompting. We did not know how badly dehydrated she had become. Gently pull the skin up on the top of her hand. If it doesn’t bounce back and “tents” on her hand, she is dehydrated. If you find she isn’t drinking, it is suggested to put five or so oz cups in front of her before each meal and make sure she drinks them. Our mom was sent to er for dehydration. It can go unnoticed and at times they don’t want to drink. It can be an uphill battle but have to keep on them to drink and watch for signs of dehydration. It can sneak up on you. Best of luck.