Dizziness after open heart surgery

[Lyndon68]

I am 12 weeks on from my AVR and I keep having dizziness and feeling light headed.i wondered if anyone else has suffered with this.ive seen my gp and he says it’s my medication not my operation?

[lifelover55]

Hi. I don't have any answers but I wanted to say that I also suffer from some dizziness and lightheadedness. I'm also 12 weeks post-op. My surgeon wasn't worried and he thinks it might be my thyroid. I'm waiting for my GP to send me for blood tests. Hopefully others will write in soon with their experiences. Hang in there.

[bigspriygdoc in reply to lifelover55]

It's not your thyroid. It's your meds.

[lifelover55 in reply to bigspriygdoc]

Well, I've had a new echo since my dizziness got worse and it turns out I have left ventricle systolic dysfunction (moderate). I now have increased breathlessness. I was on bisoprolol but docs have now added Ramipril. Low doses so far. Early stage HF.

[tazabel in reply to lifelover55]

I get very dizzy from my meds as well, there is nothing I can do about it apart from I hope it will pass sooner then later.

[BigT2013]

What medication are u on when I had my surgery I have limited medical knowledge and my son is a Paramedic. I

Was on 4 separate medications all had the effect one way or the other of lowering blood pressure!!!!! 😮

Yes I was feeling dizzy and light headed and was a bit dibilitating.

My son said it was medication.

He did my BP and it was as low as 80/52

So almost dangerously low and hypotension

My normal being 120/78

Meds have been reviewed now and back to my normal.

[Lyndon68 in reply to BigT2013]

Hi,I’m on warfarin,ramipril and bisoprolol

[BigT2013 in reply to Lyndon68]

Well Ramipril and Bisoprolol both Lower blood pressure!

All be it in slightly different ways.

Dosages may need tweeking.

Do you know what your Blood Pressure is?

Might be worth getting a BP monitor so u can monitor it yourself. Then show GP or Cardiologists readings on next visit.

That's what I did (us my son did it)

When I showed the surgeon/cardiologist they said oh!!! 😮

Stopped some medication and tweeked others.!

Everything stabalized dizzy spells stopped BP came up.

[stevejb1810]

I sometimes get a little light headed if I stand quickly after sitting still for a while or if I bend from my waist and my head goes below my knees (teeing up a golf ball for example) - I'm 9 months post triple CABG. Its very transient and it is the drugs (most probably the beta-blocker) and because my BP is on the low side. I just stand still for a few seconds and it passes. Its worse in this very hot weather we are enjoying at the moment. Drink lots of fluids and stay hydrated - I find it helps.

[gal4God]

I’m on Heart meds and been told dizzyness is my heart condition.

[Grayjay]

Hi I agree with your GP on this one. Don't know what meds you take but I had problems with bisopralol which turned out to be the cause of my dizzy spells. Stopped taking them now I'm OK. Whatever it is in your case it could be lowering your blood pressure too much.

[Madgranny2]

Same problems Lyndon68. It's a year since my valve and artery replacement, it's the tablets I'm sure as are GP and cardiologist. The Bisoprolol has been reduced and, I can only take that at night, it has helped a little but it's trial and error with other drugs. I'm also on Ramipril and Blood thinners, and insulin. Take care

[bee862]

Hello I had surgery on the 28th February and I had dizziness for a while the doctor lowered my bisoprolol and it slowly got better but I do have the odd dizzy spell now. Hope you feel better soon

[Hidden]

Hi Lyndon

I'm in the same situation as you, and it's not nice at all. I had my op roughly 12 weeks ago too (but minimally invasive) and am also on Warfarin, Bisoprolol and Ramipril. Warfarin is a HIGH dose, at 11.5mg/day (my live is doing an excellent job, but it does mean the dose is therefore higher); but Bisoprolol and Ramipril the minimum dose.

I too feel light headed and dizzy on occasion and find it upsetting. I also get out of breath more easily than I used to. But since my op my left ventricle has ballooned and considered 'severe'. However the doctors don't seem overly worried, so I'm guessing it's not 'serious' in their eyes.

Hope this helps.

[LHDLondon]

Dear LyndonIt is quite possibly your medication. I suggest you talk to your GP. Sometimes they’re unsympathetic and ask you to persevere because there is a school of thought that the body should get used to the doseage. However my experience with Bisoprolol was quite the contrary and for the last year or so ive been on the absolute minimal dosage of 1.25mgs per day. I see youre on Bisoprolol and I would guess a higher doseage - see if theyll allow you to reduce.

If you dont get any joy with the GP then ask the cardio team. You can basically ask whichever is easiest to contact, but your GP woukd normally be your first port of call.

Incidentally with ramipril i had a bad hacking cough. If you get that then ask to change mediction. My ciugh cleared up in days.

All the best.

[scooper1]

I am 12 months post mitral valve repair. Dizzy and disappointed. Never had the problem until surgery. Checked out by ENT & Neurologist. No answer. Had thyroid gland removed years ago but that does not seem to be a problem. Current medication is 81mg aspirin and atorvastatin. In good health (I think) at 74 and exercise daily. If anyone has (or had) a similar problem I would like to hear from you. Was hoping it would go away-with time, No such luck...

[Bear14 in reply to scooper1]

Hi Scooper1, I’m 5 months post mitral valve repair. I’m 50 and physically fit. Prior to surgery I sustained a TBI and was feeling better (aside from vision issues resulting from the accident). Since my surgery, I have almost daily ocular/aura headaches and a lot of dizziness. I didn’t have this (to this extent with the TBI) prior to surgery. Since the surgery I’ve been diagnosed with Homonymous hemianopsia resulting from my TBI and having heart surgery. I’m not sure about you, but it started when I woke up in ICU with the room spinning then seeing double. I’m only prescribed 81 mg of aspirin. My cardiologist doesn’t feel this is heart related only neurological. I’m currently in hyperbaric treatment, vestibular and neurofeedback therapy. My doctors and I are hoping something helps with the dizziness and my other symptoms. I obviously already had neurological issues going into surgery but I wanted to share my story to let you know you’re not alone. I hope your feeling better soon.

[brianthepoet]

I am 8 weeks past valve replaement surgery and not walking straight enough, esp. when i turn my head to a different direction - i think it might be one of the medications pushing the blood pressure up to far?

[brianthepoet]

down too far?

[brianthepoet in reply to brianthepoet]

post op 2 valves replaced after 2 months still having slight dizziness trouble if i walk straight but turn my head sideways fairly quickly. the last week has seen fairly major improvement but still noticeable - [e-mail]

[Expostie]

Hi I am coming up to 3 years since Aortic valve replacement on 1.25 bisoprol but still get dizzy spells for no reason I-e not bending over or coming up to quick blood pressure fine guess it’s just something you have to live with.

[Casandra1113 in reply to Expostie]

Hey I'm 29 I had my aortic valve replaced as well as a stroke 2 years ago TODAY lol and I've get dizzy all of a sudden, even if I'm just laying down, the first time it scared me so I went to the hospital and seen my cardiologist and he said I was fine.. Well the past 2 days it's been alot more frequent. So I'm glad I found this group because I was really scared. Lol

[Casandra1113]

Hey I'm 29 I had my aortic valve replaced as well as a stroke 2 years ago TODAY lol and I've get dizzy all of a sudden, even if I'm just laying down, the first time it scared me so I went to the hospital and seen my cardiologist and he said I was fine.. Well the past 2 days it's been alot more frequent. So I'm glad I found this group because I was really scared. Lol