Low blood pressure and a fast heart rate after the event may indicate blood loss or dehydration, while low blood oxygen levels may be seen following the event in those with pulmonary embolism. Heart related causes also often have little history of a prodrome. The ECG is useful to detect an abnormal heart rhythm, poor blood flow to the heart muscle and other electrical issues, such as long QT syndrome and Brugada syndrome. Ī medical history, physical examination, and electrocardiogram (ECG) are the most effective ways to determine the underlying cause. There also seems to be a genetic component to syncope. This is often due to medications that a person is taking but may also be related to dehydration, significant bleeding or infection. The third type of syncope is due to a drop in blood pressure when changing position such as when standing up. Neurally mediated syncope may also occur when an area in the neck known as the carotid sinus is pressed. This may occur from either a triggering event such as exposure to blood, pain, strong feelings or a specific activity such as urination, vomiting, or coughing. Neurally mediated syncope occurs when blood vessels expand and heart rate decreases inappropriately. Heart related causes may include an abnormal heart rhythm, problems with the heart valves or heart muscle and blockages of blood vessels from a pulmonary embolism or aortic dissection among others. Issues with the heart and blood vessels are the cause in about 10% and typically the most serious while neurally mediated is the most common. There are three broad categories of causes: heart or blood vessel related reflex, also known as neurally mediated and orthostatic hypotension. Ĭauses range from non-serious to potentially fatal. It is recommended that presyncope be treated the same as syncope. When consciousness and muscle strength are not completely lost, it is called presyncope. Psychiatric causes can also be determined when a patient experiences fear, anxiety, or panic particularly before a stressful event, usually medical in nature. Syncope may also be associated with a short episode of muscle twitching. There are sometimes symptoms before the loss of consciousness such as lightheadedness, sweating, pale skin, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, or feeling warm. It is caused by a decrease in blood flow to the brain, typically from low blood pressure. Syncope, commonly known as fainting, or passing out, is a loss of consciousness and muscle strength characterized by a fast onset, short duration, and spontaneous recovery. Medical history, physical examination, electrocardiogram Loss of consciousness and muscle strength Ĭardiac, reflex, orthostatic hypotension
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