What is syncope?
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Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Syncope is the temporary loss of consciousness and posture (fainting), usually caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain. This can happen to otherwise healthy people. Syncope can be caused by low blood pressure (hypotension), which means that the heart isn't pumping a normal supply of oxygen to the brain.
While syncope alone is not life threatening, it may sometimes be a symptom of a more serious condition that could be life threatening and should be treated promptly. Syncope may occur due to an irregular cardiac rate or rhythm, metabolic abnormalities or anemia.
Other causes of syncope, particularly among children, include, but are not limited to:
- Head injury
- Epilepsy
- Stroke
- Inner ear problems
- Dehydration
- Low blood sugar
- Breath-holding episodes
In about one-third of cases, the cause of syncope is unknown.
Any change in the amount of blood your body distributes can cause you to faint. Patients may feel faint (especially following a meal or exercise), dizzy or lightheaded (presyncope). Feeling weak or unsteady while standing may be signals you're about to faint.
You can control a "syncopal event" by learning the signs and sitting or lying down and elevating your legs as soon as those signs present themselves.
About 30 percent of people who experience one episode of syncope will have a recurrence. The underlying cause of syncope and the patient's age, gender and presence of other medical conditions will affect the course of treatment and methods of prevention.
Syncope is the temporary loss of consciousness and posture (fainting), usually caused by insufficient blood flow to the brain. This can happen to otherwise healthy people. Syncope can be caused by low blood pressure (hypotension), which means that... More -
Dr. Imran Niazi of Aurora Health Care answered:Syncope refers to temporary loss of consciousness. This may be a benign condition, such as the common faint. It may also be the harbinger of serious health problems, including sudden death.
In 95% of cases, loss of consciousness occurs because the brain does not receive enough oxygen. This may be due to low blood pressure (the common faint), or it may be caused by the heart stopping or beating too quickly. These rhythm abnormalities can be fatal.
It is important to recognize that fainting in a person with a normal heart is usually not dangerous, while fainting in a person with known heart disease is associated with a risk of cardiac arrest.
Rarely, fainting occurs due to brain disorders such as epilepsy. Most of the time, the cause does not lie in the brain. The causes, diagnosis and treatment of syncope are not well understood by most physicians. If you have fainting spells, make sure you see an electrophysiologist (a heart specialist dealing with rhythm problems).Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulSyncope refers to temporary loss of consciousness. This may be a benign condition, such as the common faint. It may also be the harbinger of serious health problems, including sudden death.In 95% of cases, loss of consciousness occurs because the... More -
Syncope (pronounced "sin-ko-pea") is the medical term for fainting. Syncope is a sudden and transient loss of consciousness that has many causes. Ultimately, most causes of syncope produce a dramatic fall in blood pressure, which leads to fainting. Nearly half of all Americans will experience at least one episode of syncope during their lifetime. Syncope occurs in people of all ages from young children to elderly patients.Helpful? 1 person found this helpfulSyncope (pronounced "sin-ko-pea") is the medical term for fainting. Syncope is a sudden and transient loss of consciousness that has many causes. Ultimately, most causes of syncope produce a dramatic fall in blood pressure, which leads to fainting.... More -
SCAI answered:Syncope is a medical term for fainting - or the temporary loss of consciousness and muscle tone in the body because the brain is not receiving enough blood. It can be caused by a temporary imbalance in the auto-pilot system of the body that results in temporarily reduced blood flow to the brain. Occasionally, syncope can occur after a painful injury is experienced. Fainting is very common among teenagers and young adults and does not necessarily indicate a serious heart condition. Occasionally, syncope may represent a more serious problem with the heart, particularly if it is associated with exercise or known heart conditions. Any episode of unexplained syncope should be evaluated by your physician in order to exclude the possibility of a more serious condition.
Syncope is a medical term for fainting - or the temporary loss of consciousness and muscle tone in the body because the brain is not receiving enough blood. It can be caused by a temporary imbalance in the auto-pilot system of the body that results... More -
Texas Cardiac Arrhythmia Institute answered:Syncope is fainting, almost fainting, or feeling dizzy or light-headed. This can be caused by serious heart-rhythm disorders and should be evaluated thoroughly.Syncope is fainting, almost fainting, or feeling dizzy or light-headed. This can be caused by serious heart-rhythm disorders and should be evaluated thoroughly. More -
Healthwise answered:Syncope is a loss of consciousness (fainting) that occurs when blood pressure drops very low and not enough blood reaches the brain. A person may have shortness of breath, palpitations, or chest discomfort before fainting.
The reduction in blood flow usually happens quickly, which causes symptoms to appear suddenly.
Syncope can be caused by several conditions, but it most often occurs when changes in heart rate or heart rhythm reduce the amount of blood flow to the body. Fainting caused by a problem in the heart is called cardiac syncope. Other types of syncope that are not linked with heart problems include neurally mediated syncope, also called vasovagal, neurocardiogenic, and vasodepressor syncope.
Syncope requires medical attention.
Syncope is a loss of consciousness (fainting) that occurs when blood pressure drops very low and not enough blood reaches the brain. A person may have shortness of breath, palpitations, or chest discomfort before fainting. The reduction in blood... More
