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Vasovagal Response Discharge Instructions


About this topic


A vasovagal response happens when the body overreacts suddenly to some stimuli. Some people react to the sight of blood or a needle. Others react to fear of pain or extreme emotional distress. Your blood pressure and heart rate drop very quickly. This lowers how much blood flows to the brain. You may faint or have a short blackout. ‚  
A vasovagal response is most often the cause for passing out or nearly doing so. It happens as a response to many types of triggers. These may include: ‚  
  • Blood and needles
  • Pain or seeing someone who is hurt
  • Emotions like stress or fear
  • Signs of illness like fevers, low blood sugar, or fluid loss
  • Standing for too long in one position or getting up too quickly
  • Straining to have a bowel movement
  • Drugs that change your blood pressure

Treatment will be based on what is causing your signs. You may also need treatment if you were hurt when you fainted. ‚  

What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • Find out your triggers. Triggers are things that you notice just before you pass out. These may be seeing blood, getting up too quickly, or high temperatures. Try to avoid them.
  • If you feel like you might faint, lie down or ease yourself to the floor. Raise your legs. You may want to sit and put your head down between your legs. Both of these may help to avoid falling.
  • Cross your legs and tighten your leg muscles to help keep your blood pressure from dropping. This might also help before you get a shot or have blood drawn. Remain seated 15 to 30 minutes before rising again to ensure you dont faint again.
  • Get up slowly from a sitting or lying down position. Sit on the edge of the bed and take deep breaths before getting out of bed.
  • Move your legs often if you need to sit or stand in one position for a long time.
  • Do foot exercises. Pump your foot up and down from the ankle or make small circles with your foot.
  • If you feel faint, do not drive a car. Ask your doctor when it is safe to go back to your normal activities.
  • Ask your doctor how to treat hard stools.

What follow-up care is needed?


Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚  

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Reduce passing out
  • Relieve dizziness
  • Control blood pressure

Will physical activity be limited?


Physical activities may be limited. Some strenuous activities may cause vasovagal response. Talk to your doctor about what level of activity is safe for you. ‚  

What changes to diet are needed?


  • Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
  • Your doctor may have you see a dietitian to adjust your salt intake.
  • Eat foods high in fiber to prevent hard stools.
  • Avoid excess beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).

When do I need to call the doctor?


Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚  
  • Signs of heart attack:
    • Chest pain
    • Trouble breathing
    • Fast heartbeat
    • Feeling dizzy
  • Signs of stroke:
    • Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
    • Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
    • Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
    • Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
    • Sudden severe headache with no known cause

Call your doctor if you have: ‚  
  • Headache not helped by pain drugs
  • You hit your head after fainting
  • You have another fainting event
  • You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my condition.
  • I can tell you what I will do to try and stop another vasovagal response.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack or stroke.

Where can I learn more?


Dysautonomia Information Network ‚  
http://www.dinet.org/NCS/ncs.htm ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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