simple>
Do not drink enough waterTake certain medicines that cause your blood pressure to dropDrink alcoholLose a lot of blood (for example, if you get hurt)Have a medical condition that affects your blood pressure
Is syncope dangerous? " In many cases it is not dangerous. But it can be dangerous if you fall and hurt yourself when you faint. It can also be dangerous if you faint while driving. To be safe, check with your doctor or nurse before you start driving again after you faint.
Should I see a doctor or nurse? " Yes. Anyone who faints should see a doctor or nurse. Most cases of syncope are not serious. But people can get hurt when they faint. Plus, in some cases syncope is caused by a serious medical condition that should be treated. Knowing what caused you to faint can help you prevent it from happening again.
Tell your doctor or nurse what happened before, during, and after you fainted. If someone was with you when you fainted, that person might be able to tell you what happened. The following information is helpful:
- What were you doing before you passed out?
- How were you feeling before you passed out?
- How long were you passed out?
- How well did you recover?
- Any past history of fainting?
- A list of the medicines you take
- Any medical conditions you might have
Your doctor or nurse will ask you a few questions and do an exam. During the exam, the doctor or nurse might:
- Check your blood pressure and heart rate when you are lying down, sitting, or standing
- Listen to your heart to check whether something might be wrong with your heart valves or heart muscle
Will I need tests? " Probably not. Many people who faint need no tests " especially if they faint only once.
If your doctor decides you do need tests, the tests could include one or more of the following:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) " For this test, your doctor will put sticky pads on your chest, belly, arms, and legs. Long, thin wires connect the pads to a machine. The device records the electrical activity in your heart. This can show if the pattern of your heartbeats is abnormal.
- Carotid sinus massage " For this test, a doctor presses on a blood vessel in your neck while watching your electrocardiogram. This can show if your blood vessel is too sensitive to pressure.
- Echocardiogram (also called an "echo " ) " This test uses sound waves to create an image of the heart. It allows the doctors to measure the walls and chambers of the heart, see how the heart is pumping and check how the heart valves are working. Heart valves are flaps of tissue that open and close like swinging doors. They help keep blood moving in one direction.
- Home heart monitor " For home monitoring, you might wear or carry a device around at home. You will keep doing normal activities. One type of monitor records all your heart beats for 1 or 2 days (figure 1). With others, you push a button to record heart beats when you feel symptoms (figure 2).
- Tilt table test " For this test, you lie flat on a table. Your doctor then monitors your heartbeats and blood pressure while your body is tilted with your head up (figure 3).
Can syncope be prevented? " You might be able to reduce your chances of fainting again if you:
- Learn what causes your syncope.
- If an activity or condition causes your syncope, you can try to avoid it.
- If a medicine causes your syncope, your doctor can help you find an alternative.
- If a heart condition is causing your syncope, your doctor can suggest a treatment.
- Lay down with your feet up when you feel like you might faint.
How is syncope treated? " That depends on what is causing yoursyncope. In many cases, the main treatment is to avoid the situations that cause syncope.
In less common cases, other treatment might be needed. For example, you might need a pacemaker if your heart beats too slowly and this causes syncope. A pacemaker is a device that is put under your skin. Thin wires attach them to your heart. They help the heart beat at a normal speed or in a regular pattern.
What if my child faints? " If your child faints, you should take him or her to see a doctor. Most cases of syncope in children are not serious. Often they are caused by vasovagal syncope. Syncope can also happen in children if:
- They hold their breath for too long
- Their blood pressure drops when they stand or sit up
- They swallow medicines, drugs or alcohol
- They have carbon monoxide poisoning
In less common cases, syncope in children can be caused by a life-threatening condition, such as a serious heart condition, overheating, or a severe allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis).
All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete.
This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014.
Topic 15704 Version 5.0
Release: 22.8 - C22.208
© 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved.
figure 1
Holter monitor
People with possible heart problems are sometimes asked to wear a device called a Holter monitor for 1 or 2 days. The device measures the electrical activity in the heart. It helps doctors pinpoint heart rhythm problems. You will have "electrodes " stuck to your chest that are connected to wires leading to the monitor. These electrodes tell the monitor how often your heart beats and if it has a normal rhythm. While you have a Holter monitor on, you should do your normal activities but keep the electrodes, wires and device dry. Some people have an abnormal heart rhythm only during certain activities or certain times of the day.
Graphic 76605 Version 7.0
View Originalfigure 1
Holter monitor
People with possible heart problems are sometimes asked to wear a device called a Holter monitor for 1 or 2 days. The device measures the electrical activity in the heart. It helps doctors pinpoint heart rhythm problems. You will have "electrodes " stuck to your chest that are connected to wires leading to the monitor. These electrodes tell the monitor how often your heart beats and if it has a normal rhythm. While you have a Holter monitor on, you should do your normal activities but keep the electrodes, wires and device dry. Some people have an abnormal heart rhythm only during certain activities or certain times of the day.
Graphic 76605 Version 7.0
View Original
figure 2
Cardiac event recorder
An event recorder is a portable device patients can use to measure their heart rhythm for a short time. The patient must activate the recorder and hold it to the chest when they feel symptoms. It is useful for patients that have intermittent symptoms that may not be captured with other forms of testing.
Graphic 75670 Version 4.0
View Originalfigure 2
Cardiac event recorder
An event recorder is a portable device patients can use to measure their heart rhythm for a short time. The patient must activate the recorder and hold it to the chest when they feel symptoms. It is useful for patients that have intermittent symptoms that may not be captured with other forms of testing.
Graphic 75670 Version 4.0
View Original
figure 3
Tilt table test
During a tilt table test, a doctor or nurse tilts your body at different angles. At the same time, he or she monitors your blood pressure and your hearts electrical activity. Your body's response to the changes in position can help your doctor or nurse figure out what, if anything, is wrong with your heart.
Graphic 57312 Version 5.0
View Originalfigure 3
Tilt table test
During a tilt table test, a doctor or nurse tilts your body at different angles. At the same time, he or she monitors your blood pressure and your heart's electrical activity. Your body's response to the changes in position can help your doctor or nurse figure out what, if anything, is wrong with your heart.
Graphic 57312 Version 5.0
View Original
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.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. ©2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright
© 2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved.