passing out feeling

[MWIC]

Hi all - just wanted to see if anyone has experienced this and now I’ll try to explain it

Every couple of months I suddenly get a feeling in my head which I can only describe as a feeling I’m going to pass out - lasts about 5 - 10 seconds then goes off (and I’ve never actually passed out). Just happened and I had an oximeter near so put it on - when started up said my heart rate was 39 and the rate then started to rise getting to 87 where it stabilised. Previously I’d go into AFib and heart rate through the roof. Has anyone experienced anything like this and has any idea what is going on. I’ve explained this to GP before but they just kind of look at me blankly and have no explanation for it apart from asking what my blood pressure was and it’s not the kind of event you can interrupt to strap a cuff on ….any info anyone has would be much appreciated

[ParrotLover22]

Hi. Throughout the years (diagnosed with Heart Valve Disease) during my 1st Pregnancy, I used to pass out many a time. Had quite a few Visits to A & E and what they said was that my HR was far too low. I had a Bypass in 2020 and apparently passed out twice in there with a HR of well below 30! The Surgeon was not happy at all and decided to insert a Pacemaker. Touch Wood, I have been fine ever since!! I really don't know whether this is the cause with you but it just seems very familiar

[MWIC in reply to ParrotLover22]

thanks for responding - I’ve never actually passed out and it’s not the easiest thing to explain - it’s not dizziness as such but feels like a wave that’s in my head that builds ..makes me think I’m going to pass out but I never have and after feels like pressure in my head and feel a bit shaky for a while. Would love to understand what the heck is going on when this is happening and what’s causing it

[Hidden in reply to MWIC]

Hi, im actually feeling lightheaded at this moment of time it comes and goes and my heart rate drops to 35-45. Its been like this for over 2 years now and I'm still having test done to determine the best way forward. Like you I start to feel dizzy but i have never passed out but I can actually feel my body slowing down, pulse and breathing etc so I have a rest till it passes. Various test over the years have revealed mild lvh, bradycardia, tachycardia, mild mitral valve regurgitation and last week got my angiogram results back saying I have a congenital heart defect apparently my left circumflex artery is arising from my right artery and passes around the back of my heart instead of the front. I was fitted with an ILR implant loop recorder in September to monitor my heart as they think I might need a pacemaker but apparently at 52 they think I'm too young but something needs doing. Maybe make another appointment with your gp to ask for further test to be done, also keep a diary of when it happens and how often etc this will back up your case. We all know our own bodies so we know when things aren't right so keep pushing your doctor to investigate it and hopefully you will get some answers soon.Best wishes

Taz.

[MWIC in reply to Hidden]

Yes think I need to go back again to GP or look to change - disappointed there’s no proactive treatment happening at the moment - thank you

[ParrotLover22 in reply to MWIC]

Yes not knowing is the worst. If you know the cause, it puts things into perspective a little. That's all I recommend is that you try your Doctor again and if he is not sure, why not give the BHF Line and ask to speak to a Nurse. Maybe they can throw some light on it if it is Heart Related obviously. You need to get to the bottom of it though if it's worrying you and not feeling well

[MWIC in reply to ParrotLover22]

yes I think I probably need to push my GP more to explore what possibilities there are to resolve or improve this - at the moment it’s beginning to affect my confidence in living a life and by god I intend to live it

[ParrotLover22 in reply to MWIC]

👍👍👍

[jeanjeannie50]

I have AF and have had the feeling like you describe many times. I would feel myself blacking over and just before the point of dropping to the floor started I would suddenly come back. A very weird feeling, which I'd get a few times a year, but haven't had it at all for a few years now. Have had three ablations and I feel one of the last two may have sorted it.

Jean

[MWIC in reply to jeanjeannie50]

thanks - that’s interesting to hear - what led you to the ablations out of interest - my GP has basically said they’re doing all they can and I’m on Apixaban which is the “right” treatment

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to MWIC]

After drugs didn't keep my AF attacks from happening my cardiologist sent me to see an EP (Electrophysiologist who specialises in abnormal heart rhythms). I was always being admitted to hospital and the EP suggested an ablation, there then followed another two. I'm not sure whether if it was them that helped or changing my diet to a more additive free one. One thing they did cure was the pounding in my chest that my heart did when walking up hills. I had no idea that other people's hearts didn't do that.

Jean

[MWIC in reply to jeanjeannie50]

thanks for the info - how are you feeling now generally - are you in a better place than before ? I get the AF at least once a week but not bad and heart rate rises but not too high but every couple of months I get the Head feeling and normally immediately HR skyrockets- that happened a bit differently this time - was a good 10 mins before I could feel it and HR 192 - down now to 180…

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to MWIC]

I still have permanent AF, but at a low rate 60-90. Life is good and I can walk for miles, but at a medium and not fast rate.

Are you saying your heart rate is 180 right now? If so how long has it been at that rate?

[MWIC in reply to jeanjeannie50]

No it’s down to 84 now and feeling a lot more relaxed - normal HR for me is about 55 - lasted just over an hour between 180 and 192 highest - guess this is pretty standard - sometimes goes quicker sometimes it’s a couple of hours but has always come back down thankfully

[jeanjeannie50]

Those are high rates. Do you have any medication to take when it happens?

[MWIC in reply to jeanjeannie50]

No I just sit down and breathe/relax - I was in 1.25mg Bisoporol but Hospital stopped this saying I shouldn’t be taking it as normal HR was low anyway - It hadn’t stopped this happening and tbh felt massively better off it after a few weeks - I take it there is medication that can help when this happens from you mentioning that ?

[jeanjeannie50 in reply to MWIC]

Yes, there are pills that would help take the rhythm back to normal like Flecainide, but if your AF attacks are usually only a couple of hours not sure whether they would be a good idea or not.

As your rate is slow normally are you a sportsman?

[Hidden]

I get many different sensations all the time. Im in my late 30s and have heart failure.I get palpitations, chest pains and discomfort, pins needles in hands when laid on back at night sometimes. I also get a whooshing feeling maybe like you get. A light head feeling that i think i was about to pass out. Happened a few times. I dont know if its from a cluster of palpitations or from a low heart rate. Im on entresto, betas, apixban, fuersomide and eporlenone.