5. Dizziness and Fainting: The Effects of Poor Circulation
Individuals with cardiac amyloidosis may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting episodes. Dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting episodes can occur when the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs, a condition known as heart failure.
The stiff and thickened heart muscle reduces its ability to contract and pump blood effectively, leading to a decrease in blood flow to the brain and other vital organs. This can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting, especially when the individual is standing up or engaging in physical activity.
In addition to heart failure, cardiac amyloidosis can also cause arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. The abnormal protein deposits can disrupt the electrical conduction system of the heart, leading to fast or slow heart rates, or an irregular heartbeat. This can cause lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting, as well as chest pain and shortness of breath.
Diagnosing and treating cardiac amyloidosis can be challenging, as the symptoms can be similar to those of other heart conditions, such as heart failure or arrhythmias. A thorough evaluation by a cardiologist, including a physical examination, medical history review, and various diagnostic tests, such as an echocardiogram, electrocardiogram (ECG), and biopsy, can help to identify the presence of cardiac amyloidosis.
Fainting, or syncope, can be a more severe manifestation of poor circulation. It occurs when blood flow to the brain is temporarily disrupted, causing a brief loss of consciousness. Fainting episodes should be taken seriously, as they can indicate an underlying heart problem or increase the risk of injury from falls. (5)
