Vertigo is a sensation of spinning or feeling like your surroundings are moving, even when you are still. While often associated with inner ear disorders or migraines, vertigo can also signal an underlying issue with the heart and circulatory system. Understanding this connection is important for overall well-being.
The Connection Between Vertigo and Heart Health
The link between vertigo and heart health involves the body’s circulatory system. The heart’s primary function is to pump oxygenated blood throughout the body, including to the brain and the inner ear. The inner ear houses the vestibular system, which maintains balance and spatial orientation.
When the heart’s pumping efficiency is impaired, or if blood vessel issues arise, blood supply to the brain and inner ear can be reduced. This inadequate blood flow can disrupt the vestibular system, leading to dizziness and spinning. Any condition affecting systemic circulation can potentially manifest as vertigo.
Heart Conditions Linked to Vertigo
Various heart conditions can contribute to or directly cause vertigo by affecting blood flow or heart rhythm.
Arrhythmias
Abnormal heart rhythms can cause the heart to beat too slowly (bradycardia) or too quickly (tachycardia), leading to insufficient blood flow to the brain and inner ear. For example, atrial fibrillation, a common type of tachycardia, can result in lightheadedness and dizziness.
Orthostatic Hypotension (OH)
This condition involves a significant drop in blood pressure upon standing. This sudden drop reduces blood flow to the brain and inner ear, leading to dizziness and vertigo. OH can result from various underlying disorders, including certain medications, dehydration, or neurological conditions affecting blood pressure regulation.
Heart Failure
When the heart cannot pump blood effectively, it leads to reduced blood flow to the brain and other organs, causing dizziness and potentially vertigo.
Valvular Heart Disease
Conditions like aortic stenosis involve the narrowing or improper closing of heart valves, which can restrict blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body. This restriction can result in dizziness and fainting.
Atherosclerosis
Characterized by plaque buildup in arteries, this condition can narrow blood vessels and reduce oxygen supply to organs and tissues, including the brain and inner ear. When atherosclerosis affects the cerebral arteries, it can cause dizziness.
Cardiomyopathy
This disease of the heart muscle impairs its ability to pump blood, which can lead to reduced oxygen levels and cause dizziness or fainting spells.
Recognizing Serious Symptoms
When vertigo occurs alongside certain other symptoms, it can indicate a more serious underlying heart condition requiring immediate medical attention. These “red flag” symptoms include chest pain, which can signal a heart attack or other cardiac event. Shortness of breath, especially at rest or with minimal activity, is another concerning sign.
Palpitations, described as a fast, fluttering, or pounding sensation in the chest, can suggest an irregular heart rhythm. Fainting or near-fainting spells are direct indicators of insufficient blood flow to the brain. Other neurological symptoms like a severe headache, sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, or changes in vision should also prompt immediate medical evaluation.
Diagnosis and Management
Diagnosing vertigo when a heart connection is suspected involves a thorough medical evaluation. A healthcare professional will take a detailed medical history and perform a physical examination to assess balance and overall cardiovascular health. Specific diagnostic tests are often utilized to investigate the heart’s function and blood flow.
Diagnosis
These tests may include an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check heart rhythm, an echocardiogram to visualize the heart’s structure and pumping ability, and a Holter monitor to record heart activity over an extended period. Blood pressure monitoring, including measurements taken when lying down and standing up, can help detect orthostatic hypotension. A tilt table test might also be performed to evaluate how heart rate and blood pressure respond to changes in body position.
Management
Managing vertigo linked to heart disease primarily focuses on treating the underlying cardiac condition. This may involve medications to regulate heart rhythm or blood pressure, or other interventions specific to the diagnosed heart issue. Lifestyle recommendations, such as a heart-healthy diet and regular physical activity, can also support overall cardiovascular health.