Almost everyone feels dizzy once in a while—standing up too quickly, skipping a meal, or being out in the summer heat. But if dizziness or fainting happens regularly, it may not just be dehydration or stress. Your heart could be sending you a warning.
At KidsHeart, our Adult Cardiology team in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Al Ain often evaluates adults who experience unexplained dizziness or fainting spells. In many cases, the cause lies in the heart’s rhythm or blood pressure—not just everyday fatigue.
Why the Heart and Dizziness Are Linked
Your brain needs a constant supply of oxygen-rich blood. If the heart struggles to pump effectively—or pumps irregularly—blood flow briefly drops. That’s when dizziness, lightheadedness, or even fainting can occur.
Common cardiac causes include:
- Arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats): Skipped, fast, or slow rhythms interrupt steady blood flow.
- Low blood pressure (hypotension): Especially common in adults taking multiple medications.
- Valve problems: Narrow or leaky heart valves can reduce circulation.
- Heart failure or weak pumping function: Less blood reaches the brain during activity.
Our Palpitations and Arrhythmia Workups and Holter Monitoring services are designed to catch rhythm issues that might not appear during a routine check-up.
Everyday Triggers vs. Underlying Problems
It’s true—dizziness can sometimes be explained by simple factors like:
- Skipping meals or fasting without proper hydration
- UAE’s intense heat leading to dehydration
- Standing up too quickly after sitting or lying down
- Stress or anxiety
But when dizziness becomes frequent, happens during exertion, or comes with other symptoms, it’s time for a deeper look.
Warning Signs That Point to the Heart
You should see a cardiologist if dizziness is accompanied by:
- Palpitations or a racing heartbeat
- Chest discomfort or heaviness
- Shortness of breath during activity
- Fainting or near-fainting spells
- Blurred vision or confusion
- A family history of sudden cardiac arrest
Our Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention and Family Screening service is especially important if unexplained fainting runs in your family.
The UAE Picture: Why Dizziness Deserves Attention
In the UAE, dizziness is often brushed off as a side effect of busy lifestyles, fasting during Ramadan, or working in extreme heat. But with high rates of hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease, cardiac causes shouldn’t be overlooked. Younger adults are also at risk, especially with smoking, shisha, or sedentary work habits that quietly affect heart rhythm and blood pressure.
How We Evaluate Dizziness at KidsHeart
Our approach combines cardiology and whole-body health:
- Detailed history: Timing, triggers, and family background.
- ECG (Electrocardiogram): To check your heart’s rhythm.
- 24-hour Holter or blood pressure monitoring: To capture irregularities in daily life.
- Echocardiogram: To assess heart structure and pumping strength.
- Stress testing: If dizziness occurs during exertion.
Sometimes, we discover benign causes and offer reassurance. Other times, we catch early arrhythmias, low blood pressure issues, or valve problems that need treatment.
Real-Life Example
A 36-year-old teacher from Abu Dhabi came to KidsHeart after fainting twice at work. She assumed it was due to stress and not eating breakfast. Our evaluation revealed intermittent episodes of atrial fibrillation, a rhythm problem that increases stroke risk. With proper treatment and monitoring, her symptoms resolved—and her long-term risks were reduced.
Listening to Your Body
Dizziness isn’t always “just stress.” It can be your heart’s way of asking for attention. Whether it’s a rhythm disorder, blood pressure fluctuation, or another cardiac issue, early evaluation is the safest step forward.
At KidsHeart, our adult cardiology specialists provide advanced testing and compassionate care to uncover the real cause—and give you answers.
to schedule your dizziness or fainting evaluation. Because when your head spins, it may be your heart talking.