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NASPE-Heart
Rhythm Society is located at Six Strathmore Road, Natick, MA 01760
Phone: 508-647-0100 Fax: 508-647-0124
Copyright © NASPE-Heart Rhythm Society
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Fainting (Syncope)
Fainting is a sudden loss of
consciousness. It most often occurs when the blood pressure is too low
(hypotension) and the heart does not pump a normal supply of oxygen to
the brain. Typically, a faint lasts only a few seconds or minutes, and
then the person regains consciousness.
The medical term for fainting is syncope (SIN koe pee). It is a common
problem that affects one million people in the U.S. every year. About
one-third of us will faint at least once during our lifetime. A single
fainting spell usually is not serious. It may be explained by factors
such as stress, grief, overheating, dehydration, exhaustion or illness.
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If you faint suddenly and without
explanation, however, contact your physician.
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Many causes of
fainting, however, are not easy to explain.
Some are life-threatening.
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People who have unexplained
fainting spells may be told it is "all in your head." The causes of
fainting often do not show up during a routine physical examination,
but the problem usually is not psychological. It may be caused by a
nervous system disorder, a heart problem, or by other underlying
disease. The trigger that causes a fainting spell may be as harmless as
eating a meal, or so dangerous it causes the heart to stop. The most serious causes of syncope are
related to heart damage or electrical system disorders that affect the
heart's ability to pump blood efficiently. In some cases, fainting is
the only warning sign of an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia) that
could cause sudden cardiac death.
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| Some people with so-called "fainting
disorders" do not actually faint. They may experience recurrent
episodes of presyncope (signs such as nausea, dizziness or the feeling
that they are about to faint) without losing consciousness. |
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| For most people, syncope is an unusual
event. Some individuals, however, have frequent episodes of fainting.
Syncope is a serious health problem that may be a symptom of
life-threatening disease. Even when the cause is harmless, the results
of fainting can be dangerous. People who lose consciousness without
warning are at risk of hurting themselves or others. They may be unable
to drive a car or hold down a job. Fainting is responsible for 6
percent of all emergency room visits and 3 percent of hospitalizations.
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