[Fegasderty]

Sowbagyavathy Renuka , Greetings.

The Neurologist who gave a lecture today was saying NOT to take Giddiness lightly.
He said there are cases of Ischeamic Stroke which only present with sudden onset of giddiness and nothing else.
Patient could be walking around normally and talking normally. I thought giddiness along with a very brief period of backout was the indication for stroke. Persons with primary high blood pressue are susceptible to this, aren't they?

I have primary high blood pressure. Such blood pressures are not secondary to some other issues; so, quite hard to treat ( that is, there is no cure now). Few years back, I used to get giddiness and a brief period of blackout ( up to 3 seconds). ( due to the blackout, I used to loose my balance too). Every blackout was a mini-stroke! ( But I won't die of cardiac condition!... I will die of choking! Recently I choked at work... It was quite nasty. The trouble is, if I choke on nothing, there can't be much of first aid available for that!).

Usuually high blood pressure condition is coupled with head ache. Severe head ache and restlessness. My BP has gone up to 180/130 mmHg. When I gave up smoking, my BP was all over the place. i did have brief periods of chest pain too. I dismissed them as 'heart burns'. Heart burns and Chest pain have very similar symptoms. I did have chest pain at those times when I gave up smoking; I found out in detail much later. Only once my BP was 190/140 mmHg; That was the only time I was slightly scared and immediately took 100mg of asprin. ( I am on regular medications. But sometimes I don't want to take them!).

But for some reason, in India, I found high BP, causes more discomfort. While I was in Bangalore in February, I was actually down with giddiness, inspite of taking my medications regularly! I don't know why though. But here in Brisbane, I could skip those tablets for 2 to 3 days in a row and still nothing happens! Also, I am more active here too!

What ever the case may be, it is better to avoid the siyuation of stroke in the first place.

stroke = High blood pressure + more salt in diet. ( It is very simple; more salt in the system retains more fluid in the system there by increasing pressure)
Stroke = poor venous return and fluid build up. (Exercise, lot of walking improves the venous return).
Stroke = alcohol intake. Alcohol increases the BP. ( Don't know the mechanics of that).

Improvement in life style, regular exercise ( better to walk in your own home. roads are that polluted anyway. Plus the traffic), less salt intake....and regular medical check up would help reduce the stroke possibilities.

Cheers!