Vasovagal syncope and intermittent av block?

[Jbunn58]

A little history: I've had vasovagal syncope since childhood. The first episode at 11 years old and the last during a pregnancy 7 years ago (at 25. I'm 32 now). They were quite frequent and all have been after vomiting - most during "that time of the month". I've not had any fainting since 25yo (until recently) but have experienced dizziness frequently, seemingly unprovoked/triggered.

Recently I went to my gp complaining of fatigue, come and go chest pain, shortness of breath, high anxiety, hair loss...after testing he concluded low-normal b12 and deficient vitamin D so I started both those supplements along with 50mg Zoloft for the anxiety. Also during a routine ekg he discovered a first degree av block and said it was nothing to be worried about and doesn't have symptoms.

Fast forward a little over a month with ongoing worsening symptoms (except the specific anxiety symptoms I had previously)..Ive had a few "episodes" where I can feel my heart beating fast and hard, my chest hurts, I get very hot and so dizzy I fall over. I have a bruise on my hip still from one fall! Then, three days ago I completely fainted. It felt much the same as my previous passing out with the coming-to quickly and head convulsions, but it was totally random. I had been extremely tired and dizzy that day, but hadn't thrown up, exercised - I was just walking down my hallway.

I have an at home wrist cuff that has detected low blood pressure (typically around 90/60) with very high hr (it's been up tp 190!) and an irregular heartbeat during a few times I felt chest pain and lightheaded. I did not check it after the fainting; I headed to the er.

At the emergency room the ekg was normal with zero evidence of av block or other abnormality. Chest X-ray, head mri and blood tests were all normal. The ER doctor said the fainting was likely vasovagal, nothing to be concerned about, and the chest pain/breathlessness/fatigue has likely been anxiety related. She also said the wrist cuff can be "terribly inaccurate" and not to use it.

I'm having trouble accepting that. Does av heart block come and go? Will vasovagal syncope be completely different after more than 20 years? Does this mean the vasovagal syncope is "back"? I'd hate to live with recurrent episodes again. Can vasovagal syncope lead to arrhythmia? Could this be a potential sign of a more serious intermittent arrhythmia? I have so many questions, I'm so confused, and not anyone to talk to about it. If you made it this far, thanks for reading this novel!!

[Charleneadmin]

Hello,

Thank you for your post.

I am very sorry to hear about your struggles, it must be extremely frightening for you.

I just wanted to let you know that we have lots of information available about vasovagal syncope and low blood pressure.

If you would like any of this information, please do email me at [e-mail], and i can send this to you either by email or post.

Best Wishes,

Charlene, Patient Services, Arrhythmia Alliance