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What Causes Lightheadedness And Shortness Of Breath?
Question: Experienced some lightheaded feeling at breakfast. Was able to eat. Was also experiencing some coldness in my extremenities ( hands and feet). Still experiencing the coldness. Almost like a circulation problem. Also felt like I was having some shortness of breath(panic attack possibly). Felt like it was going to be hard to eat, but I was able to eat- slower than typical.
Brief Answer:
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I would like to know if you measured your blood pressure values during this episode?
Low blood pressure could be the cause of this symptomatology.
Anxiety can also trigger this clinical situation.
For this reason, I would recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure values (in sitting position after 10minutes of total relax) in the next days.
If your blood pressure values are low, I would recommend increase salt and caffeine intake.
If the problem persists, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests:
- a resting ECG
- complete blood count for anemia
- thyroid hormone levels for thyroid dysfunction
- blood electrolytes for electrolyte imbalance
- fasting glucose.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
If all the above tests result normal, and your blood pressure is within the normal ranges, you should consider anxiety as the main cause of your complaints.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would recommend as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I would like to know if you measured your blood pressure values during this episode?
Low blood pressure could be the cause of this symptomatology.
Anxiety can also trigger this clinical situation.
For this reason, I would recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure values (in sitting position after 10minutes of total relax) in the next days.
If your blood pressure values are low, I would recommend increase salt and caffeine intake.
If the problem persists, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests:
- a resting ECG
- complete blood count for anemia
- thyroid hormone levels for thyroid dysfunction
- blood electrolytes for electrolyte imbalance
- fasting glucose.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
If all the above tests result normal, and your blood pressure is within the normal ranges, you should consider anxiety as the main cause of your complaints.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for your response. I did take my blood pressure when I got home. Roughly 1 hour after I got home. It was 158/84. I typically average 131/85.
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
Your blood pressure values are above the normal ranges. So, it is likely that your symptoms are related to anxiety.
You should know that a single value of high blood pressure does not indicate uncontrolled high blood pressure.
But, it can be related to physical or emotional stress. Coffee intake can also trigger this situation.
Anyway, I would recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure values in the next days.
If your blood pressure values are above the normal ranges (140/90 mm Hg) most of the time, I would recommend discussing with your doctor on the optimization of your anti-hypertensive therapy, if you are actually taking anti-hypertensive drugs or start therapy.
In such case some blood lab tests are also needed, to exclude other secondary causes of high blood pressure.
Hope to have been helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
Your blood pressure values are above the normal ranges. So, it is likely that your symptoms are related to anxiety.
You should know that a single value of high blood pressure does not indicate uncontrolled high blood pressure.
But, it can be related to physical or emotional stress. Coffee intake can also trigger this situation.
Anyway, I would recommend you to closely monitor your blood pressure values in the next days.
If your blood pressure values are above the normal ranges (140/90 mm Hg) most of the time, I would recommend discussing with your doctor on the optimization of your anti-hypertensive therapy, if you are actually taking anti-hypertensive drugs or start therapy.
In such case some blood lab tests are also needed, to exclude other secondary causes of high blood pressure.
Hope to have been helpful!
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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