About B. Todd Troost, MD Expertise vertigo, benign positional vertigo, BPPV, and related ailments.
Experience
Past/Present clients More than 2000 patients with vertigo.
Chairman of Neurology Department for 18 years and examiner for American Board of Neurology for over 25 years. Extensive information is provided on my commericial free website at www.ivertigo.net
Expert: B. Todd Troost, MD Date: 5/31/2002 Subject: dizziness
Question During both my pregnancies, I would pass out alot and during my last one two years ago, my OB sent me to a heart doctor and they diagnosed it as a sinus node reentry tacha cardia(sorry about spelling). I was put on propanalol during the rest of my pregnancy and for a few months after. The symptoms have mostly went away accept during my menstrual cycle when I seem to get light headed and my heart race. Does this condition go away or is it effected by hormones? I haven't been able to find out alot about this. Looking back for the last 7-10 years, I have had this problem of passing out or close to passing out and have been told by several doctors its in my mind but my husband now can tell them no he's seen me and caught me before I have hit the floor. I only have the light headedness and racing heart during my period and a few minor other times when I've been under some extreme stress. I just want to know again if this condition goes away or can be hormone related. I appreciate any help in this manner.
Answer Dear Ronda:
While it is true that I am a supposed expert in dizziness I am a neurologist not a cardiologist. When I find a patient with a problem such as yours: passing out due to a cardiac arrythmia I send them to a cardiac specialist that deals primarily with cardiac irregularities.
My guess is that you still have occasional rapid heart rates that may or may not relate to your menstrual cycle and you should have a further evaluation by an arrythmia specialist: a cardiologist who should probably do some further monitoring: what they call event monitoring.
My further guess is that it is NOT in your head but a tachycardia that may be controlled through the use of additional cardiac blocking drugs. Again, in your situation the best information is likely to come from your new cardiologist.
