Suggest Treatment For Feeling Of Light-headedness In An Elderly Person

Posted on Fri, 3 Jul 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 3 Jul 2015 Answered on

Thu, 23 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am 77 years old on no medication and today my blood pressure was 155 / 84 and I feel light headed some

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please visit ER if lightheadedness persists

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. A blood pressure reading of 155/ 84 mm Hg at your age is not too high. The XXXXXXX Society of Hypertension recommends that a persisting blood pressure of more than 150/ 90 mm Hg in people more than 60 years is to be treated. If your blood pressure is 155/ 84 on a single occasion then repeat measurements have to be made after 30 minutes of rest and the values are to be considered when confirming hypertension.

2. It is important to investigate possible causes of your lightheadedness. Possible causes might include heart problems, mild stroke like episode, generalized weakness, low blood glucose and electrolyte imbalance.

3. Please make yourself comfortable with adequate rest and nutrition. If the lightheadedness persists then I suggest you to consult doctors in the ER. It is important to rule out any serious cause involving the heart or brain.

Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.

Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,
Dr.Vivek

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar