Let me give everyone some background. For the past two months I've felt dizzy when in the morning if I am stooping and I stand up I feel dizzy, I steady myself and usually it passes, but the other day I just passed out. I came to when I hit the ground, I happened to be working in my garden at the time. I went to the ER and was told after they ran tests and couldn't find anything that it was probably due to low blood sugar. They scheduled a echo cardiogram, I had it taken yesterday, while they were performing the test the lady asked me if I ever had problems with high blood pressure, and I haven't to my knowledge. While I am waiting for the results I am wondering what they could've saw on the cardiogram that made them wonder if I had high blood pressure? I do alot of stooping on my job and have never had problems with dizziness, but I've been out for the summer because of school being out and I work for the school. Any insight on this? Anyone ever had one of these before?

By Dawnk777 on Friday, August 3, 2007 - 10:53 pm:

I don't really know that much about echos. Emily had one, when she was 2 months old, to make sure that one of the holes in her heart had closed up, because it was slow to, after she was born. That's about the extent of my experience.

I guess you'll have to wait to hear what the doctor says.

By Breann on Saturday, August 4, 2007 - 12:44 am:

I have had a couple of them, in the past, but the results were immediate. I didn't have to wait for them. Maybe it was a different kind.

Maybe the lady was just asking as part of the routine, so she could mark it on your chart?

How long do you have to wait for the results? Hope everything is ok.

By Karen~admin on Saturday, August 4, 2007 - 09:12 am:

I've had them a number of times. I have MVP, and I've had to have them every time I was under anesthesia for *major* surgery. In my case, it was to check the MVP.

Low blood pressure can also produce the symptoms you described. I had really low blood pressure for years when I was 18-22, and was put on meds to raise it a little.

The symptoms you are having could be the result of several different things, so the echo is probably being used as a diagnostic tool. I know it doesn't help to say *don't worry yet*, but please, try not to worry too much until you get the results of your test.

I'm hoping and praying your situation is easily corrected, with medication.

By Luvn29 on Saturday, August 4, 2007 - 07:26 pm:

Please look up autonomic dysfunction and vasovagal syncope. I have a form of autonomic dysfunction called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome or POTS where when I go into an upright position, I get lightheaded because my heart rate goes up. A lot of people have issues where the heart rate drops and the same things happens. The reason you "come to" when you hit the floor is because as soon as you are in a supine (laying down) position, your heart rate and blood pressure regulate and you're fine. I take beta blockers to help this. Atenolol. This can come on very suddenly, and it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with your heart. Your autonomic system regulates body functions such as heart rate and blood pressure, along with many others, so when it screws up, it causes these irregularities.

I have tons of information and knowledge on this area, so check it out. More than likely you'll have to have to mention this to your doctor, because many don't even think about it, and more still don't even know much about it.

You can always do the "poor man's tilt table test" which is where you lay down for a minute, take your pulse (and blood pressure if you have a monitor), then sit up and take it after 30 seconds or so, and then stand up and take it after 30 seconds or so. It will give you an idea on whether your heart rate is involved, and if it is, more than likely it's an autonomic thing. Doctors will oftentimes do this test in the office, also. If you have any questions, please ask!

By Luvn29 on Sunday, August 5, 2007 - 09:45 am:

Bumping up hoping that anonymous will see my response...

By Anonymous on Sunday, August 5, 2007 - 11:50 am:

Adena,

Thank you for all of the info, I am looking in up now. I have a doctor's appt on Monday and I'm going to mention this to him. I would like to see what is causing this because I do alot of stooping at work and when I go back (I'm off in the summer) I can't see this happening all the time... Adena, my episodes seem to always happen in the morning,with an occasional episode other times of the day. What about you? I'll probably have other questions to ask you later. And again, I will mention this to my doctor and see what he says.

By Luvn29 on Sunday, August 5, 2007 - 11:55 am:

Yes, mornings are definitely worse. That's because you have been laying down all night sleeping. As you have been up throughout the day, the episodes aren't as bad because you have been upright throughout the day.

Feel free to e-mail me at ealaney at comcast dot net if you'd like to discuss it more once you've looked it up and gotten more info on it. Good luck! I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers!

By Anonymous on Monday, August 6, 2007 - 03:04 pm:

My appointment is Monday the 13th! My doctor is on vacation this week. Oh Adena, I emailed you, not sure if you got it...

By Luvn29 on Monday, August 6, 2007 - 08:12 pm:

Hey! I just got your e-mail and I e-mailed you back. I'm so sorry that you have to wait another whole week! I'll get you some information.