Can a Stress Test Determine Why I Struggle with Dizziness?

Most of us will feel dizzy at some point in our lives. You might have sought that feeling out, whether on the merry-go-round at the playground or a thrill ride at an amusement park. 

If you’re dealing with persistent, unexplained dizziness, though, it’s a whole different story. You probably want to figure out what’s causing that sensation. Just as importantly, you want a way to put that dizzying feeling to a stop. 

We can help. At Manhattan Integrative Cardiovascular in Midtown East Manhattan, New York City, David Bolon, MD, can evaluate you for many of the most common causes of dizziness. One way he might do that is through a stress test. With this diagnostic tool, he can determine if your dizziness is coming from an issue with your heart. 

How a stress test helps sort out dizziness

Feeling dizzy can come from several different health conditions. For example, an issue with your inner ear can contribute to this sensation. Stress and anxiety can also cause dizziness.

In some cases, though, you’re feeling this way because your brain isn’t getting enough blood. You might have cardiac-related dizziness with a condition like:

• Arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Arteriosclerosis (the hardening of your arteries)
• Cardiomyopathy
• Low blood pressure
• Stroke and mini-stroke (transient ischemic attack)

If you’ve been dealing with this dizziness for a while, particularly if it’s accompanied by other symptoms like chest pain or heart palpitations, don’t wait to see Dr. Bolon. At our office, he can check how your heart is functioning and blood is flowing to ensure your brain is getting what it needs.

For that, he might use a stress test. 

What to expect at your stress test

Dr. Bolon offers a variety of stress tests, including echocardiograms and nuclear stress tests. He talks with you about your dizziness, lifestyle, family health history, and any other symptoms you’ve been experiencing. This allows him to pinpoint the best type of stress test for you.

Generally speaking, though, a stress test means exerting yourself (that’s the stress) while we monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and more. You’ll either be on a treadmill or a stationary bike, and we’ll attach electrodes to your chest with sticky pads. We gradually scale up your activity level and monitor your vitals as we do. 

If the stress test causes dizziness, it tells us a lot about what’s going on. We can see how your vitals look at the point where you feel dizzy. This gives Dr. Bolon insight into what might be behind that dizzy sensation. Once he can diagnose the issue, he can create a treatment plan to correct it. 

If you’ve been experiencing persistent dizziness, it could be a warning sign that your heart needs help. To figure out what’s going on — and get care to correct it — call our office at (716) 303-4738 or book your appointment online today.