It is caused by
a sudden drop in blood pressure
, which causes a drop in blood flow to the brain. When you stand up, gravity causes blood to settle in the lower part of your body, below your diaphragm. When that happens, the heart and autonomic nervous system (ANS) work to keep your blood pressure stable.
What are the 4 classifications of syncope?
Classification and Differential Diagnosis
Syncope is classified as
neurally mediated (reflex), cardiac, orthostatic, or neurologic
(Table 1).
How do I stop syncope episodes?
- Avoiding triggers, such as standing for a long time or the sight of blood.
- Moderate exercise training.
- Discontinuing medicines that lower blood pressure, like diuretics.
- Eating a higher salt diet, to help keep up blood volume.
- Drinking plenty of fluids, to maintain blood volume.
Is syncope an emergency?
Syncope is
a common chief complaint encountered in the emergency department
(ED). The causes of syncope range from benign to life threatening. Being able to rule out life threatening causes is one of the main goals of the emergency physician.
Is syncope life threatening?
In most cases,
syncope is not a sign of a life-threatening problem
, although some people with syncope have a serious underlying medical condition. In non-elderly people, over 75 percent of cases of syncope are not associated with an underlying medical problem.
Can syncope be cured?
There is no standard treatment that can cure all causes and types of
vasovagal syncope. Treatment is individualized based on the cause of your recurrent symptoms. Some clinical trials for vasovagal syncope have yielded disappointing results. If frequent fainting is affecting your quality of life, talk to your doctor.
How long does a syncope last?
Syncope is more common than you might think. It can happen at any age, including childhood, though fainting happens more frequently to people as they get older. Syncopal episodes
usually last only seconds or minutes
. They may be accompanied by temporary feelings of confusion when you regain consciousness.
What does near syncope feel like?
Near-fainting (near-syncope) is like fainting, but you don’t fully pass out. Instead, you feel
like you are going to pass out
, but don’t actually lose consciousness.
What is the difference between syncope and vertigo?
Answer :Syncope is just another word for
fainting from any cause
, and usually means a problem with the heart. People can feel dizzy from a lot of different reasons, including vertigo, which is usually a problem with the ears, or other causes of dizziness that have to do with the nerves.
How can you tell the difference between seizure and syncope?
A blue face during the event was more common with a seizure
, and a pale face was more common with syncope. Nausea or sweating before the event and orientation immediately after the event were used to exclude a seizure.
What is the number one cause of syncopal episodes?
Vasovagal syncope is the most common type of syncope. It is caused by
a sudden drop in blood pressure
, which causes a drop in blood flow to the brain. When you stand up, gravity causes blood to settle in the lower part of your body, below your diaphragm.
When should I go to the ER for syncope?
When should you go to the ER?
Serious issues that cause fainting include heart problems
, which temporarily lower your blood pressure. In these scenarios, you may experience palpitations — your heart is skipping a beat or racing — shortness of breath, or chest tightness.
Does syncope require hospitalization?
Patients with syncope and evidence of congestive heart failure or structural heart disease, abnormal electrocardiographic findings, or a family history of sudden death
should be admitted to the hospital for emergent evaluation
.
Can you drive if you have syncope?
Based on study findings, authors conclude that
patients with frequent fainting episodes are safe to drive with minimal restrictions
. In fact, estimated risk of car accidents is even lower in patients with vasovagal syncope than the general population.
What drugs can cause syncope?
- Agents that reduce blood pressure (eg, antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, nitrates)
- Agents that affect cardiac output (eg, beta blockers, digitalis, antiarrhythmics)
- Agents that prolong the QT interval (eg, tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines, quinidine, amiodarone)
Can syncope cause brain damage?
Syncope and orthostatic intolerance
increase risk of brain lesions in migraineurs and controls
.
