What is Syncope?
Syncope, or fainting, refers to a loss of consciousness due to a lack of blood flow to the brain. When the heart does not pump blood sufficiently, it can lead to a lack of oxygen to the brain, resulting in passing out. Fainting can happen for a number of reasons and may not be anything to worry about; however, sometimes fainting can be a sign of an underlying medical condition.
Types of Syncope
Syncope, the medical term for fainting, can occur for several different reasons. The type of syncope is generally determined by what causes a temporary reduction in blood flow to the brain and loss of consciousness. Common types include:
- Vasovagal Syncope: Also called reflex syncope or neurally mediated syncope, vasovagal syncope occurs when the nervous system overreacts to a trigger, causing a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure. Triggers may include extreme emotional distress, fear, pain, emotional stress, seeing blood, or having blood drawn.
- Situational Syncope: Situational syncope is a form of reflex syncope that occurs in response to a specific activity or circumstance. Triggers may include coughing, urination, swallowing, prolonged standing, or intense physical exertion.
- Orthostatic Syncope: Also known as orthostatic hypotension or postural hypotension, this type of syncope occurs when blood pressure suddenly drops after changing body position. Dehydration, certain medications, blood loss, and other medical conditions can increase the risk of orthostatic syncope.
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS): POTS is a condition involving an abnormal increase in heart rate when moving to an upright position. Changes in heart rate and blood pressure can affect blood flow to the brain and may cause lightheadedness, dizziness, or, in some cases, fainting.
- Carotid Sinus Syncope: Carotid sinus syncope occurs when pressure on the carotid sinus, an area of the neck involved in regulating blood pressure and heart rate, triggers an exaggerated nervous system response. This can cause the heart rate to slow, blood pressure to fall, or both, potentially leading to a syncope episode.
- Cardiac Syncope: Cardiac syncope occurs when a heart condition prevents enough blood from reaching the brain. Abnormal heart rhythms, including heart rates that are too fast or too slow, can interfere with the heart’s ability to pump blood effectively.
- Neurologic Syncope: In some cases, fainting or loss of consciousness may be associated with a neurological condition or disorder. However, many neurological events that resemble syncope have different underlying causes and require careful evaluation.
Understanding which type of syncope is occurring is important because treatment depends on the underlying cause. During the initial evaluation, Dr. Beshai may review your medical history and recurrent syncope symptoms and recommend diagnostic tests, such as an ECG, heart rhythm monitoring, blood pressure measurements, or a tilt table test, to identify factors affecting heart rate and blood flow.
What Causes Syncope?
The causes of syncope range from non-threatening, to more serious conditions. Syncope can be triggered by situational factors such as:
- Overheating
- Dehydration
- Excessive sweating
- Exhaustion
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Hunger
- Alcohol or drug use
These causes of syncope are usually non-life threatening. However, syncope can also be caused by certain underlying conditions like bradycardia or tachycardia. During these conditions, when the heart rate is too slow or too fast, blood is not being efficiently pumped to the rest of the body, resulting in a lack of oxygen to the brain, and causing syncope. These conditions can potentially lead to other complications like a stroke or heart failure, so it’s important to understand the exact cause of syncope in order to form the proper treatment plan.
What are the Symptoms of Syncope?
Syncope is commonly associated with the following risk factors:
- Blacking out
- Feeling lightheaded
- Falling suddenly
- Feeling dizzy
- Fainting
- Changes in vision
- Feeling unsteady
- Headache
Many times, symptoms will occur prior to an episode of syncope, known as premonitory symptoms. These include feeling nauseous, lightheaded, and experiencing heart palpitations or a fluttering in the chest. In some cases, you can avoid fainting by lying or sitting down with your legs up as soon as you experience premonitory symptoms.
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How is Syncope Treated?
To treat syncope, Dr. Beshai will discuss your symptoms and when you are experiencing syncope. He may also suggest an ECG to test the heart’s electrical activity, determining if an irregular heartbeat is causing the condition. During an ECG, Dr. Beshai can determine if the heart is beating too slow or too fast, causing a lack of blood flow to the brain.
Depending on the cause of the syncope, Dr. Beshai might try medication first to maintain the heart rhythm. In cases when the heart is beating too slowly, a pacemaker may be used to keep the heart rate regular. A pacemaker is inserted into the chest where wires are attached to the heart, sending electrical signals that tell the heart to beat. Dr. Beshai may also recommend an implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD) to monitor the heart rate and correct a fast or irregular heartbeat.
Why Choose the Heart and Rhythm Institute of Arizona
Syncope and recurrent fainting spells can have many possible causes, ranging from non-life-threatening factors to serious cardiac conditions. At Heart Rhythm Institute of Arizona, Dr. Beshai focuses on identifying the underlying cause of syncope rather than simply treating the symptoms. His evaluation considers your medical history, any serious medical conditions or warning signs, heart rate, blood pressure, and other factors that may affect blood flow to the brain.
Whether your symptoms are related to vasovagal syncope, orthostatic hypotension, situational syncope, or an abnormal heart rhythm, Dr. Beshai can help determine the appropriate treatment options. If necessary, treatment may include lifestyle and fluid-intake recommendations, medication, heart rhythm monitoring, or therapies such as a pacemaker or implantable cardiac defibrillator (ICD).
Scheduling Your Syncope Treatment Appointment
Dr. Beshai can discuss your symptoms related to syncope to determine the underlying cause and develop a management or treatment plan. If you experience frequent episodes of syncope, talk to Dr. Beshai about your treatment options. While syncope can be harmless, it can also signal a more serious underlying condition. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment at the Heart Rhythm Institute of Arizona.
The Heart Institute of Arizona has a wide array of services that come with our premium care. From in-office dianostics and treatable conditions, to hospital based procedures, we’ve got your heart covered.
Dr. Beshai is a board-certified electrophysiologist internationally renowned and respected for his expertise and research. Having published in major medical journals and travelled all over the world to present research, he is dedicated to providing innovative, state-of-the-art care to his patients.