She is a petite active 67 year old. Recently, in the past couple of months she has been having funny turns. She will all of a sudden go very weak in the arms and legs, feel shaky and out of breath. This will normally last about two hours or so but will make her feel tired the rest of the day.
These funny turns are now becoming more frequent, three last week. She has had her blood pressure checked and has had an ECG. ECG was last Wednesday and haven't heard anything back from the Doctors yet.
She is fit and healthy otherwise. The only medicine she takes is a Calcium tablet once a week for Osteoperosis.
Does anyone have any ideas what could be causing this and if she should request any other tests?
might need a long tape ecg over 24 hours in case shes having runs of funny heart rhythms (most varieties are easily treatable) a one- off ecg is unlikely to pick up an intermittant problem a set of basic blood tests too and they might consider 24 hour blood pressure recording all of which can probably be arranged by the GP
She did have a routine blood test about 6 weeks ago, (she didn't mention these turns at that time) but what they tested for I'm not sure. I think she mentioned Diabetes and Cholestorel as she had to fast for 12 hours.
Yes, where is Sqad?
Hi Rowanwitch,
Oddly enough I had a 24 hour ECG monitor last month after an ECG at my doctors. Didn't take long for the Doctors to get me an appointment (Turns out I have Atrial fibrilation) so I am surprised that Mum hasn't heard anything back yet from the GP.
This doesn't sound cardiac in origin and although nothing obvious comes to mind, it doesn't sound life threatening.
The ECG should have picked up an abnormality, particularly in a 67year old but unless it was an "exercise" ECG one cannot completely exclude a cardiac problem (although it doesn't sound like it)
The answer may well be in the blood particularly thyroid studies.
It was a resting ECG that was taken. I will ask Mum if she can request more blood tests and include a thyroid one.
Many thanks everyone. Will keep you informed.