Presyncope

[Emsysy]

Does anyone on here with AF have problems with presyncope. I'd be interested to know of others experience and the degree to which they suffer with this. Is it just down to too low BP or is the misfiring heart the cause. If I take my BP after an episode, all seems quite normal.

[Buffafly]

I used to have episodes of presyncope which were caused by pauses. Those came in 'runs' lasting up to half an hour. I also had isolated episodes, one when I was up a ladder 😰...... I have had very few since having an ablation and being taken off all meds. If they come back it's time for the pacemaker apparently. I hasten to say that yours are probably caused by the misfires, as you suggest.

[Buffafly in reply to Buffafly]

PS forgot to say you should of course report them, particularly if you drive.

[Diver2 in reply to Buffafly]

I had sick sinus syncope which appears to be similar to presyncope... i was an athlete prior to getting Afib and my doctor said it was from my heart stopping and trying to throw itself back into sinus rhythm. I kept being told to get the the ER. And it finally showed up on the EKG. After a weekend in the hospital when they had to bring a crash cart about every Half hour they decided to put in a pacemaker. Since my heart beats fast, the pacemaker does not pace my heart, but it will restart my heart after being stopped for 2 seconds. It freaks out most nurses, and a couple of doctors, but I’ve been living with it for 17 years and really don’t even notice it unless the battery dies in the pacemaker

[CDreamer]

Oh yes! In my case it was due to very low BP - dropping to unreadable levels during AF episodes. If I lay prone I felt better but I couldn’t move. Didn’t happen at every episode. My BP is stabilised now and I haven’t had a presyncope episode for some years. I found the STARS website very helpful

heartrhythmalliance.org/sta... They are always present at the Patient Day in October.

Can happen for several reasons so worth knowing what is causing it.

[Emsysy]

Many thanks for your responses. My presynecope only occurs when I get up from a sitting position and in particular if I then need to look up. I'm assuming it's due to low BP. Fortunately, I do not experience this any other time or when driving which would, of course, be a serious issue. No doubt, the mere act of driving on our roads significantly raises one's BP.

[Hidden in reply to Emsysy]

I'm sure being in the passenger seat can sometimes raise your blood pressure too.

[Hidden in reply to Emsysy]

I get faint if I look up when standing. An MRI scan showed impaired circulation at the level of the brain stem and this was thought to be the cause together with BP meds. I have learned to manage it.

[fluttered]

Are you taking any blood pressure lowering drugs? If your blood pressure is low due to afib or drugs, these symptoms may occur. What is your blood pressure?

Dick

[Emsysy in reply to fluttered]

Hi Dick. Only beta blockers (Bisoprolol) and statins, of course. BP normally very good but sometimes does go down very low.

[Hidden]

Have you had BP done lying/sitting and the when you stand may be postural hypotension

[Hidden]

When I got it /get it just sit till it improves. Try getting up slowly see if that helps

[fluttered]

mycallc

Afib can cause your blood pressure to drop. Your blood/oxygen percentage may also drop somewhat. In afib your heart is not able to pump efficiently. The beta blocker also will lower the blood pressure. Any or all of these things can result in less oxygen to the brain. Age is also a factor. I would get up slowly and take it easy till it passes.

Dick