What Causes Persistent Dizziness?

Posted on Wed, 29 Jun 2016

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

Wed, 29 Jun 2016 Answered on

Tue, 19 Jul 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : my husband stays dizzy headed and when he gets ready to do something he gets weak and dizzy headed can't walk , he has to lean on something close or sit down if possible . He feels really bad most of the time . He doesn't like to go any where because when he gets there and gets out of the car he can't walk .

My husband also has lost his hearing

Answered by Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
A visit to ent doctor; also heart should be checked

Detailed Answer:
Greetings and welcome to HCM. I understand your concerns. Thank you for your query.

The finding of the origin of lightheadedness and dizziness is not only confined to the brain issues. There are also other domains that should be sought. Main ones being the heart and the inner ear system.

There are certain problems in the heart, and I am stating this supported also by his age of 70 years old, that may cause these symptoms. My recommendation is that three tests should be conducted to check the heart:
- an EKG, to evaluate if there is any abnormality in the conduction system
- an echo cardiogram - to see and measure the heart valvular apparati and chambers, by means of function and size
- a 24-hour Holter rhythm registration, which os basically an EKG spun throughout a day, to eventually capture any conduction problem, which cannot be caught on a plain EKG

Also, the inner ear is responsible for the human organism's equilibrium. Therefore, a visit and a specialistic consult with an otorhinolaringoligist (the ENT doctor) is recommended at this time. If this is the case, there is a certain class of drugs that would essentially help in solving the symptoms.

I hope my answer is helpful. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.

Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad