my dad had a heart attack 2 yrs ago and is now 84 but last week i rang him and he sounded really bad and confused, his speach seemed a bit slurred and he was rambling he does not drink or smoke, i went over and the house was a mess he has pulled things out of cuboards and couldnt remember doing it, he had a flu jab 2 weeks ago last week he was fine now he appears totally different and is very confused with his memory, the dr's dont think its another heart attack or stroke and might be a virus, any suggestions
2006-11-15 21:39:55 · 15 answers · asked by johnny 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Heart Diseases
I have seen this quite a few times in elderly people after the flu jab. He does need to see his GP who will more than likely say that it's nothing to do with the flu jab but I'm not convinced as I see too much of this to be a coincidence. Make sure he is adequately hydrated & fed as he may not have been looking after himself if he was feeling rough. I wish you well.
2006-11-15 22:28:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
elderly patients can become severely confused if they have an infection - but usually not to this extent. The other option is possibly a TIA (transient ischaemic attack) which is a type of mini stroke - this can occur with the above symptoms then resolve itself - it should be used as a warning that further attacks could follow and maybe a low dose of aspirin should be considered.
2006-11-17 04:05:52 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have had a lot of good advice from other answers and I agree that you should probably take him back to his GP. All I can add is that confusion sometimes occurs in the elderly when they have a urinary tract infection. The fact that he suffered from transient slurred speech sounds more like a mild stroke to me. Get him checked out again. Good luck.
2006-11-15 23:35:11 · answer #3 · answered by Lilly 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sudden onset of confusion certainly warrants further investigation. Is ur dad in hospital, u sound as though he has seen more than one doctor (the dr's)? Infection is often a source of confusion in the elderly, such as chest infection or urine infection. If he isnt in hospital, I would certainly recommend either a repeat visit to ur GP to find out exactly what they are doing and a request for referral to medical assessment unit (mau), for inpatient investigations or to take him to a/e dept.
A chest xray would rule out any chest infection/pneumonia, and they can dipstick the urine to look for signs of a urine infection. They can also check his bloods to see if his body is showing signs of fighting an infection such as raised white blood count. It sounds unlikely to be cardiac related having lasted since last week, however, an ecg will certainly help to rule out any heart involvement such as slow or irregular heart rhythm.
I think it unlikely to be a brain tumour, in my experience these are very rare (approx 2% of all primary tumours Cancer research uk).
I hope that this helps and that ur dad is ok soon
2006-11-16 01:41:30 · answer #4 · answered by kelari 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Consult a neurologist. A complete medical examination of the head and heart has to be done.
Head CT scan
MRI of head, MRA of the head
ECG showing arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation
Echocardiogram to determine other heart disorders
Transcranial doppler (ultrasound of the head)
I think that he has suffered a mild ischemic attack of the brain.
2006-11-15 22:15:41 · answer #5 · answered by gangadharan nair 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take him to your local hospital, he may have a reaction to the flu jab, I had one 6 year's ago it put me in hospital with flooded lungs, never had one since, taking no chance's.
2006-11-15 22:08:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know what is happening to the NHS these days. Your Dad obviously needs further tests. They are probably only thinking of the costs and his age. What they forget is he may only be a number to them but he is a PERSON, a Dad, Grandad? friend who people care for greatly (its obvious you do).
I've just had it with them!!!!!!
2006-11-15 23:55:15 · answer #7 · answered by Foxy Chick 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take him to the doctor or hospital and kick up a fuss until they find out what is wrong with him. Unfortunately it is the only way nowadays.
2006-11-15 22:04:29 · answer #8 · answered by ehc11 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He could have an infection,the symptoms in the elderly are like dementia...confusion and short term memory loss.
What are they doing about it?
2006-11-15 21:49:41 · answer #9 · answered by Pat R 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your dad may be a new onset of diebeties are septic. Both would cause the symtoms you described. Get him back to the doctors office soon.
2006-11-15 21:47:36 · answer #10 · answered by laidbck111 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋