There is no such thing as a simple faint! In many cases, fainting can be an early warning sign of an abnormal heart rhythm which is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death – a devastating condition that kills 100 000 people in the UK alone each year.
World Heart Rhythm Week - help us to raise awareness of syncope and sudden cardiac death. ♥️ worldheartrhythmweek.org
#WorldHeartRhythmWeek #WHRW2023 #TakeFaintingtoHeart
Last month one of my daughter-in-laws had gastroenteritis, came out of the shower, felt dizzy and fainted. Unfortunately, she broke her fibula and hurt her other knee so it has been difficult for her these past few weeks. Has she got a heart problem? Maybe she should wear her husband's Apple watch for a while to see if anything shows up.
Good afternoon Physalis,
There are many different reasons for experiencing a faint from something simple such as dehydration (common with gastroenteritis), through to other conditions, experiencing low blood pressure, or it can be a sign of an arrhythmia.
It may be helpful to take a look at our 'sister' charity's website: heartrhythmalliance.org/sta... for further information.
Please feel free to contact the STARS Patient Services Team on 01789 867503 or email info@stars.org.uk if you would like to ask any questions or discuss things further.
Katrina.
Katrina there is such a thing as a simple faint this is a scaremongering headline. It can be a sign of arrythmia sure, but it can also be the other things you mentioned and more
Thank you for your feedback Peony4575, our phrase 'No such thing as a simple faint' is used as unfortunately many individuals do not seek medical advice following a faint to investigate the cause, thinking that they have 'simply fainted'. Whilst many faints may be explained by dehydration, or overheating for example, in many others an arrhythmia will go undiagnosed which can sadly lead to a SCA. It is vital that those individuals understand the need to find the explanation to help prevent deaths from sudden cardiac arrest.
Very timely advice, well said!!
Hi
What about a second or two secs sleep.
The family said the guy was classed as having a fit and was not allowed to drive for a year.
They gave up fighting iy.
cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)
Thank you Katrina for raising the awareness about fainting . 2 years ago while walking I fell in syncope, 1 week later, 2nd syncope while hospitalized for rapid afib, I went into sustained vtach HR 260 Vfib and cardiac arrest.
Hello Katrina,This is the first time I am writing on here and I wish to thank everyone for their informative and helpful comments.
In July 2020 when on holiday in Spain, I had two episodes of presyncope, one when swimming in the sea. I went to a doctor who took an EKG and told me that I must see a cardiologist and have an echo cardiogram and a couple of other tests. On my return I had a telephone conversation with my doctor who told me quite clearly that two episodes of presyncope did not warrent a referral. On Christmas Day evening, again in Spain, I was taken in an ambulance to the hospital where I was diagnosed with PAF and again told to see a cardiologist which I did soon after before returning to England. It has been quite a PAF journey. My cardiologist has referred me to an electrophysiologist and I have an appointment for a telephone conversation later in July.
Ingrid
76 years old with A F
apixaban and hematuria 
shortness of breath
3% Afib burden and proposed medication
breathlessness 
