Defining Dizziness: Acknowledging Vestibular Differential in Cardiopulmonary Diagnoses

This clinical perspectives article provides a comprehensive and evidence-based overview of diagnosing and treating dizziness in complex patients. These patients typically present with overlapping comorbidities and symptoms that can create difficulty in discovering an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan. Vestibular dysfunction affects over 35% of adults older than 40 years, and that prevalence significantly increases with age. Eighty-five percent of adults older than 80 years had evidence of balance/vestibular dysfunction. We believe this differential diagnosis between cardiopulmonary and vestibular dizziness transcends all rehab environments across the continuum of care. We will provide evidence for vestibular background knowledge and clinical skills that intersects with evidence regarding pharmacology and competing cardiopulmonary diagnoses to provide clinicians with the framework, skills, and knowledge to differentially diagnose dizziness across multiple care settings. In addition, we will provide examples of appropriate interdisciplinary communication to assist the clinician in decision making and best practice management.