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Cardiac » Cardiac Surgery

Fainting and Its Connection to Severe Cases of Heart Diseases

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Fainting is a common ailment that most of us believe to be a sign of weakness or low blood pressure. It could also be the indication of a heart-associated condition.


American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology, and Heart Rhythm Society recently released a set of guidelines that talk about fainting and various possible reasons behind it.

Why Do People Faint?

If there is a sudden drop in the blood pressure and an obstacle in the oxygen supply to the brain, you will suffer a transient loss of consciousness. It is usually followed by a sudden loss of postural tone. Thus, you fall.

However, recovery is spontaneous and does not require resuscitation. Thousands of people faint every day. The reason behind it could be psychological or neurological or cardiac.

While occasional fainting isn’t a matter of grief, constant episodes of losing consciousness could be an indication of something serious. Recurrent fainting could be life-threatening, depending on the roots of the problem.

Cardiac Issues and Fainting Spells

Often, people over sixty years of age faint because of some underlying heart condition. It could be a faulty heart valve. Or it could be the irregular heart rhythms that triggered the fainting spell.

However, it could just as easily be a result of an overdose of blood pressure lowering medication or simply dehydration. It is why you should get a check-up or at least consult a medical practitioner after you faint.

The New Set of Guidelines Lays Stress upon Seeing a Doctor in Case You Faint

The three heart organisations mentioned earlier talk about paying attention to fainting patterns.

A physical exam or an electrocardiogram are the right tools to determine whether something fishy is going on with your heart. Talking with the doctor about your medical history helps them evaluate your situation in a better manner.

The guidelines also call for all competitive athletes to see a doctor after they faint. It is to be done before the athlete can resume the sports sessions. While the athletic kind usually faints because of too much exertion or dehydration, in cases where the underlying cause of fainting may be something severe, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, for instance, getting tested would not only result in probable early discovery but also affect the outcome of the treatment.

While the guidelines exert the importance of getting checked up after a dizzy spell, they also suggest that any additional tests like a CT scan or an MRI need not be done unless the preliminary report suggests a heart issue or any similar diagnosis.

The Best Approach to Dealing with Fainting Spells- Pay Attention

Most of the fainting incidents aren’t severe. However, it is better to know how to handle the scenario, why going to a doctor is important, and what tests need to be done to ensure wellness under the circumstances.

Paying attention to your body plus keeping an eye out on theses guidelines can help save you unnecessary medical expenses while giving you an advantage of visibility regarding your health.

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