Fainting episode

[ryan1409]

I've had af for quite a few years and on occasion when I'll have failed Ted. A coup,e of weeks ago I fainted for no real reason. My ecg showed bsats between 34 and 137. My rate is usually around 5o. Since I've felt like my head is a bit behind my body and frequently feel unsteady and faint. I've never felt like this for such a long time. Is this normal I'm taking g my meds. Cant see cardiologist until April. Opinions please.

[ryan1409]

Should read on occasion when Ill I have fainted .

[Buffafly]

50 seems a bit low, my cardiologist wasn't happy with my HR being below 60. Maybe your GP could reduce your meds slightly while you wait to see the cardiologist? Unexpected fainting is dangerous - did you go to A&E as I see you have had an ECG?

[sweetiepye in reply to Buffafly]

I agree with Buffafly. Your rate seems low and if you're passing out you should be seen by a doctor. That being said, I think it's fairly common. Pam

[ryan1409 in reply to Buffafly]

Yes went to a and e. All my obs and scans were normal. They want to investigate further. I think it's made me more anxious which doesn't help

[Buffafly in reply to ryan1409]

Best wishes 💜

[Ianc2]

Have a look at the effects of syncope.? I had a fainting event after completing a six mile walk, When I saw the cardiologist he was careful to ask about how I fell, (fast or slow) how long I was out for and how quickly I recovered. If you fall down and quickly recover as blood reaches your brain and then stand up again, that is possibly syncope.

If you fall down and stay down and take a good while to get up again, then that may be a transient ischemic attack, a much more serious event.

If you have had several events you may find that your cardiologist will ask you to make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Drink an extra 3 pints of water in addition to your normal fluids he told me. As you get older it is easy to mistake thirst for hunger, so you eat more and drink less, causing your blood volumes to fall. An ECG will probably be done to show what your heart is doing.

Take somebody with you who can drive. If it is a once only event It is quite possible that your doctor will suspend your licence for 3 months while you see if it happens again. Do you think you could get from the fast lane to the hard shoulder and safetly stop if an event took place?

If not he/she has a duty to inform the DVLA who will suspend your licence and inform your insurance company.

It may be that he/she will consider a pacemaker to bring your heart up to speed and you will be able to drive again. after it is fitted. You will have a lot of questions to ask , and some very detailed answers to consider carefully

[afib187]

It's possible that this is related to your arrhythmia where when all of a sudden you go into afib, it goes from 50s to 130s and your body faints to cope temporarily with the rate increase. However, you should see what the cardiologist says. Can you call the cardiologist's office and ask for an earlier appointment? Or ask the office to pass a message to the cardiologist? Some cardiologists call patients back when they're free.