I have vasovegal syncope (I think) plus a previous heart attack, resulting in two stents and a cocktail of drugs. Recently I fainted while at choir practice but without any warning signs. Was reading about this and discovered that fainting without warning could be life threatening. I was very dehydrated.
After the episode, which lasted for about 2 minutes, I was totally weak and couldn’t do anything for about half an hour. My husband picked me up and took me home.
My question about salt is this: people with a heart condition and high blood pressure are advised to eat as little salt as possible. But people who faint are told just the opposite. One way of stopping a faint is to drink lots of water and eat a serving of salted pretzels. So I’m torn. The info about fainting without any warning came from STARS, which is part of the AFIB association (?). The doctor who was advising said if you have a tendency to faint, forget what they say about low salt diets. I’ve been referred for a cardiology appointment but could wait forever. Sorry this is so long, but any thoughts appreciated.
Written by
Harefieldfan
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
You raise a good point. Without adequate salt intake we would die, and die quickly. For various reasons I have issues keeping adequately hydrated and it isn't for lack of drinking plenty of water - I find for me it is important to keep my salt intake up.
What made the biggest difference to my blood pressure was fixing my diet. By eating clean whole foods and reducing my carbohydrate intake significantly I went from having high blood pressure to having normal readings within a matter of days. I doubt this is a solution for everyone with high blood pressure, but suspect it likely is for most, or at least everyone with some degree of metabolic dysfunction.
I'm not sure increasing the intake of ultra processed foods is a good solution for improved health, but I guess sometimes you have to go with what works until the specific cause can be identified.
Whether you should or shouldn't reduce/increase your salt intake is a question for your medical team, they may test your electrolytes to see if you're lacking something.
Fainting is usually caused by low blood pressure, do you record your blood pressure yourself?
If you're feeling faint you're advised to lie/sit with your legs elevated and to drink plenty of fluids, however if you have serious kidney issues then salt is not usually recommended.
Hi Lezzers. Thing is — I didn’t have a warning! The doctor I saw took me off one of my blood pressure meds as standing BP was too low. And referred me to a (nonexistent?) cardiologist. What I’m worried about is the lack of a warning.
I totally get your concern, I have seen my husband pass out a few times in front of me, twice while we were on a plane! Though in hindsight, each time it has happened he was feeling a slight bit nauseous before hand, though he was never sick until he came round. Do you have your own BP monitor? If not I would suggest getting one and monitoring your BP to see if theres a pattern, certain time of the day your BP dips etc. I always take my husband's BP a couple of hours after his morning and evening meds as that's given time for the meds to kick in. His BP is nearly always very low after he's taken his meds.
We have not used salt in nearly 30 years & certainly wouldn't use it now as it could cause lots of problems for my husband, who also has kidney failure & fluid retention. He spent a lot of time in hospital last year and his BP was incredibly low even after stopping all his meds , one of the nurses very flippantly told him to have some salt!! Not a good idea for someone who was on the verge of kidney failure!
Why is the cardiologist non existent? Do you know which hospital you have been referred to? If so, why not phone the cardiology department and ask when you're likely to be seen, can you go on a waiting list etc. Can the referring Dr chase up the appt?
I would also suggest phoning the BHF nurses on this site for their advice & see what they advise.
The one thing that would concern me is, if salt is the answer then how much and how often?
Hi. A few days before the episode, I’d completed a 5-day holter monitor. Also had an ecg and blood pressure test. (I think). Results were ‘unremarkable’. I HAVE had fainting spells before, usually while standing for a while. Generally I get hot and sweaty and weak. This is the first time with no warning. Cardio is at the Whittington (north London). He’s the one who ordered the tests but then after seeing the results wrote that he didn’t intend to see me again. I’m seeing my GP on Thursday but will certainly mention this. I’m quite stressed as I’m supporting an unwell husband.
My take on that is if the faints are not due to blood pressure, heart electrics etc then quite possibly an electrolyte issue except that would likely affect your ECG & blood pressure readings. The other thing is, if you had no episodes while you were wearing the monitor then there would be nothing to show plus an ECG & a one off BP reading only capture the moment, again if you're not having any episodes then they're not going to show anything.
What about sugar levels? Low sugar can cause you to feel faint, dizzy, sweaty etc .
I also support a poorly husband, stress can affect us so badly, especially if we don't have time to look after ourselves properly, get enough sleep, rest, eat properly, etc. I would definitely phone the BHF nurses on Monday, talk it through with them, discuss what could be the issues, what sort of questions should you ask your GP, going armed with info you're less likely to be fobbed off. Good luck 🤞 x
My dad always had a lot of salt on his food . He served in Burma,India and Egypt during the war . So they had to have plenty of salt because of the heat. But as soon as he had his heart attacks he only used in in cooking and stopped putting any extra on his food.
I only put a teaspoon of salt in my soup and stew type dinners which does for 6 meals each. Because of disability I can't cook fresh meals everyday as I never know how I am going to be each day. But this works for me . We all need some salt in our diet to make out bodies function. But even breakfast cereal apart from porridge oats contain salt. Some fresh fruit and vegetables have salt in them as well as some form of sugar it's part of their make up.
Don't have a salt substitute as they are high in potassium. I have had to follow a low potassium diet for over 10 years and that is on the list of things not to have .
Just add some salt to cooking but don't add extra. If you get cramp it's due to lack of salt but never heard of fainting due to low salt intake.
I would do some research into fainting as it may be due to low blood pressure and nothing to do with salt..
I too have Vasovagal Syncope. Sometimes I get a warning, other times I don’t. It’s inconsistent but either way I am exhausted after an episode. I struggle to move or summon the energy for anything.
Recently I’ve had a 24 hour & then a 3 day portable ecg. Turns out my heart rhythm isn’t consistent (didn’t have issues prior to this year).
Also my blood pressure is very low which in turn has made blood volume low.
Cardiology advised me to up salt & sugar intake but not too much. It seemed very contradictory like you said in your post.
I’m still stumped for ideas on what to do, but awaiting to see dietician/nutritionist whenever that may be. Could be an option for your medical team to refer you for further advice 🙂.
Hi I'm just wondering if one of your meds could of make you faint? One of mine comes with this warning. Have you checked side effects listed on info leaflet in med box? ❤
My partner has vasovagal and can pass out without warning....other times he has symptoms. He has had massive cancer surgery and the vasovagal kicked in a few times before his chemo sessions so that seemed like anxiety set it off but we've not been able to pinpoint the trigger for when he dsn't get symptoms and just passes out. Could it be that rather than anything to do with salt? Xx
Sorry ..in addition to my reply, vasovegal is to do with a sudden drop in blood pressure as far as I understand so is therefore understandable if you are feeling anxious about something but as with my partner, not so understandable if this happens without warning. He doesn't generally have bp problems and is monitored because of his cancer so perhaps seeing a cardiologist might give you some answers. Good luck with the investigations xx
Hi there, I am sorry you have had fainting attack without any warning but just as well you had no fits ( seizures ). I see you are on a cocktail of drugs and I presume you are on hypotensive drugs. It's important you monitor your blood pressure both standing and sitting. If there is striking difference between the two , you may have to adjust your hypotensive drugs. You said the fainting attacks are attributed to vaso-vagal syndrome. Were you wearing a shirt with tight collar. If so that can stimulate the vagus nerve in neck ad trigger the attack. I do not think restriction of salt would cause the fainting attacks. If your GP think so, he can ask you to have a blood test to check kidney functions which will check sodium level and other things. I hope I have been of some help with the information.
Refined salt stay away from , sea salt is fine or Celtic if you can get hold of it. Put a flake or 2 on your tongue and let it dissolve a little then have sips of water , dont flood yourself with it , the quicker you drink alot the quicker it comes straight back out again , Quickest way to rehydrate yourself
Hello. I don’t suffer from fainting but have relatives that do and I have low blood pressure. Your question is an excellent one, the salt dilemma.
There are a couple of UK cardiologists that specialise in syncope.
Dr Boon Lim and Mr Richard Sutton. I had a consultation with Dr Boon Lim a number of years ago, he is an excellent EP with vast knowledge and experience and both have published multiple papers on syncope. I believe that they are considered experts in their field. Private consultations are not cheap though, so sorry if that doesn’t help you at all.
As for upping your salt intake, I use Himalayan salt, just a crystal under the tongue before a glass of water.
Hi Harefieldfan, it’s a bit of a minefield, isn’t it? I seem to have low blood sodium, according to my latest blood test, but on the other hand I have high blood pressure. What to do about salt?😅
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
cramps and other side effects of spironolactone 
Salt or no salt
How quickly will salt affect fluid retention?
what can I eat
Competing Diets
