Dizzyness and lightheadness - is this normal?

Hi 
I am new the club and so grateful to find such a site.

I am in the UK and also suffer from Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Type 2i - although my undersanding from the docs is that this has had nothing to do with my recent heart problems.

I had a Boston Scientific Pacemaker fitted one week ago.  I previously had a number of serious fainting episodes and my heart eventually had a total blockage.  The pacemaker has raised my pulse to 60 bpm and I generally feel much better.  However, I still get the odd moment of dizziness and lightheadedness.  Whilst this can occur at any time, it happens mostly when I get up from chairs - especially if I have been sitting for a while.  When I mentioned this in hospital last week they said it would subside with time.

Anyone else experienced this or has anyone any tips on how I should manage this?

Many thanks,

Dave

4 Comments

Dizzy when standing

by AgentX86 - 2018-08-29 09:42:54

Yes, that's perfectly normal,  well, at least very common if not normal. Are you on any drugs. Many (many) heart medications have this as a common side effect.

As long as your medical team is well aware of this,  you're good. Keep reminding them about it, at each visit, though.

blood pressure

by Tracey_E - 2018-08-29 12:59:55

Have you had a tilt test to see what your blood pressure does on change of position? 

Managing

by Gotrhythm - 2018-08-29 13:22:35

Dizziness upon standing is common and the likelihood increases with age. Probably has nothing to do with your pacemaker. It happens because your blood pressure takes a minute to adjust to your new position--particularly if you've been sitting or lying down a long time.

Managing involves being aware that it could happen. If you've been lyingt down, don't just jump out of bed. Sit up first for a minute, then swing your legs over and put you feet on the floor. Sit like that for a minute. Pull you feet as close to the bed as you can (one foot slightly more forwarad--if that works better for you) so that your feet are already under your weight before you attempt to stand. As much as possible keep your back straight.

Getting out of a chair is the same process except you are already sitting. Slide to the edge of the chair, pull feet as close to the chair as possible, then with your weight under you, rise.

As much as possible avoid standing from a bent over position. Straighten up while you are still sittling.

Rising in this way may not completely eliminate all dizzy spells, but it ensures that if you do become dizzy all you have to do is sit. If you attempt to rise in a bent forward position, you are more likely to do a faceplant--which would be bad.

Dizzyness and lightheadness - is this normal?

by Daveabs1407 - 2018-08-29 13:40:19

Thank you all - very helpful and I will bear this all in mind.  Dave

 

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In fact after the final "tweaks" of my pacemaker programming at the one year check up it is working so well that I forget I have it.