Last month, we discussed some startling new research that found that lightheadedness upon standing up (orthostatic hypotension) may be more serious than previously thought. This month, we’ll look specifically at headache AND dizziness and if we should be concerned about this combination of complaints and if so, when?
A team of researchers from John Hopkins University reviewed past medical records of 187,188 patients presenting to over 1,000 emergency departments (EDs) between 2008 and 2009. They found the combination of headache and dizziness – especially in women, minorities, and younf patients – was a potential signal of an impending stroke!
Specifically, they reported that 12.7% of people complaining of headache and dizziness were later admitted for stroke and had been misdiagnosed and inappropriately sent home from ED within the previous 30 days. Patients were told they had a “benign condition” such as inner ear infection or migraine, and in some cases, they weren’t given a diagnosis at all. Slightly less than half of this population had a stroke within seven days and over half had a stoke within the first 48 hours of the initial pre-stroke ED presentation!
The study reported that women were 33% and minorities 20-30% more likely to be misdiagnosed, suggesting gender and racial disparities may play a role. The researchers estimate that doctors miss 15,00 to 165,00 strokes that result in harm to the patient each year.
Studies have found that the early diagnosis and quick treatment of strokes is critical in reducing serious residuals in patients having a transient ischemic attach (TIA), sometimes referred to as a “mini stroke” or “pre-stroke”. TIAs are often pre-cursors to a more catastrophic stroke leading to death or permanent disability without appropriate treatment.
Again, to put this in perspective, MANY people present to healthcare providers with headaches and dizziness with NO relationship to stroke – about 87% – though it is sometimes not possible to know whether a potentially dangerous problem may arise in the near future. The good news is that it usually does not!
The importance of this study is to alert both healthcare providers AND patients of the potential risk. When in doubt, it’s ALWAYS best to seek out multiple opinions. An MRI may be the best way to confirm the most common type of stroke (according to the study reviewed above), it’s better to be safe than sorry and obtain multiple opinions, especially WHEN IN DOUBT!
We realize you have a choice in whom you consider for our health care provision and we sincerely appreciate your trust in choosing our service for those needs. If you, a friend, or family member requires care for neck or headaches, we would be honored to render our services.
Author: Dr. Dan Murphy