What Are The Signs Of Subclavian Steal Syndrome?

Lightheadedness

Subclavian steal syndrome patients can experience lightheadedness or unsteadiness. This symptom is different than vertigo, even though both are associated with each other. Vertigo has a component of spinning to it while lightheadedness does not. The lack of blood supply from the vertebral arteries can cause the part of the brain called the cerebellum to be starved of oxygen. The cerebellum is the part of the brain responsible for functions such as posture, balance, and movement coordination. These functions may become compromised, resulting in lightheadedness. Additionally, the brain stem is also fed oxygenated blood by the vertebral arteries and may become starved of oxygen in affected individuals. The brain stem is responsible for the regulation of many autonomous nervous functions, including blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, and consciousness. Lightheadedness may occur as a result of the cells in the brain stem shutting down because of an inadequate supply of oxygen. If these cells continue to be deprived of oxygen following the onset of lightheadedness, the affected individual may lose consciousness.

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Vertigo

Approximately half of all individuals affected by subclavian steal syndrome experience vertigo. This occurs when either the balance organs of the inner ear or the parts of the central nervous system responsible for processing spatial information and balance are not functioning properly. While dizziness and lightheadedness are the results of disequilibrium, vertigo is more caused by the altered perception of the movement of the body itself or the environment around the body. An affected individual can experience vertigo if the cells in the occipital lobe, parietal lobe, and cerebellum do not receive enough blood because of subclavian steal syndrome. Vertigo is most commonly described as spinning or an unsteady feeling with rotational features. The patient can feel like their own body is moving due to altered perception from deprived tissues, or they may interpret this as a feeling the objects around them are moving in a rotational pattern around them. Some individuals compare the feeling of vertigo to motion sickness that occurs when on a boat or long car ride.

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