Fainting Specialist

What is fainting?

Fainting (known medically as syncope) is a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness. It happens when there's not enough blood in or going to your brain.

Low blood pressure is the most common reason why people faint. When you have low blood pressure, your heart can't pump oxygenated blood up to your brain in sufficient quantities.

Cardiac problems like abnormal heart rhythms or arrhythmias, heart disease, and other heart conditions can increase your chances of fainting.

What does fainting feel like?

Many people find that before they lose consciousness, they experience symptoms such as:

• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Flushing or going pale
• Feeling too hot
• Suddenly sweating heavily
• Visual problems
• Shaking
• Cramping
  
  

If you haven't fainted before, you might not realize you’re about to pass out. If you have been fainting, it's worth looking out for these signs so you can make sure you lie down or sit somewhere safe before you faint.

Often, fainting comes on so quickly you have no idea what's going to happen. This means you could fall and injure yourself. You might sustain serious injuries if you land on a hard surface, so finding the cause of your fainting is essential.

What should I do if I've been fainting?

Fainting isn't always a sign of a serious problem. However, if you've fainted more than once, you should make an appointment at South Palm Cardiovascular Associates. Fainting typically has a heart or circulatory cause, so the expert providers are ideally suited to diagnosing the cause.

Your cardiologist first conducts a physical examination and reviews your medical history. They measure your blood pressure and listen to your heart, then carry out an electrocardiogram (ECG), which creates a report of the electrical activity in your heart.

If the cause of your fainting still isn't clear, you might need to undergo further tests, which could include:

• Echocardiogram
• Wearing a Holter monitor
• Exercise stress test
• Tilt test
  
  

If these tests suggest you have any cardiac vascular abnormalities, you might need to have an implantable cardiac monitor.

Once your cardiologist diagnoses the cause of your fainting, they can recommend the appropriate treatment. However, even when the underlying heart condition is under control, some patients still suffer from fainting spells.

It's important to follow your cardiologist's advice on taking any medication and ensuring you eat and drink regularly. You should also avoid sitting up or standing too quickly.

Find out why you've been fainting and get the treatment you need by calling South Palm Cardiovascular Associates today or booking an appointment online.