Fainting

[Martgai]

Is almost fainting but not passing out something to be concerned about?I had an ablation a few years ago, now I only get some ectopics from time to time but I just try to ignoring them because they say they are not dangerous.

Yesterday I felt faint but didn't pass out and I was able to lower myself to the floor and I felt better after a minute or two. This is the second time that this has happened. Should I be worried about it ? Blood pressure reading at the time was 166/79 and heart beat 69.

Any advice, please.

[Chinkoflight]

Hi Martgai, well done for doing the right thing by sitting down and also taking your BP. I'm just a layperson but your BP seems on the high side. You should definitely seek medical opinion you just need to decide how urgent this should be. If you thought there were other symptoms or this repeats again , ordinarily you would seek a high priority appointment with your GP. But if you want a more immediate opinion or advice I would recommend phoning 111.. Meanwhile make sure you are well hydrated, perhaps avoid alcohol or too much coffee/tea . Take care.

[Martgai in reply to Chinkoflight]

Thank you for your advice. Yes my blood pressure was higher than my normal and I thought maybe that was why I fainted. I'm on medication for the high blood pressure. I have been feeling lightheaded after that episode so tomorrow I'm going to make appointment with GP. Thanks again.

[bantam12]

If it’s happening at the same time as the ectopics then you should definitely be seeing your GP or Cardiologist, it may be you are getting pauses and it’s causing the feeling faint sensation, this needs treating before you do faint and fall possibly injuring yourself.

[Martgai in reply to bantam12]

Thanks for replying.No, I didn't have ectopic when this happened. BP was higher than my normal so perhaps that was what caused the fainting. I'm making appointment to see GP. Thanks

[jeanjeannie50]

I used to get the very occasional feeling I was going to pass out. Everything would start swirling and slightly darkening, then just on the point of passing out I'd come back to feeling ok. It could happen even if I were sat down and I would guess occurred about 6-7 times over my 19 years of having AF. I was always either at work or doing my voluntary role, so never actually spoke about it to a doctor.

Once something similar happened when I was at home and I had to fight to keep conscious, felt hot and sweaty. My pulse appeared normal. I dialled 999 and paramedics came, they took my pulse at my wrist and all appeared normal, but when they did an ECG my heart rate was sky high and beating too fast to register at my wrist. None of the paramedics had seen this before and it caused a lot of discussion. I was taken to hospital where a consultant told me he had seen this before and admitted me to a ward. Afraid I can't remember any more than that. I spent many periods in hospital with a high heart rate. Hopefully that's all behind me now. I've had many cardioversions and 3 ablations and been in constant AF for almost 5 years at a rate of 60-90bpm and can cope with that.

Jean

[Martgai in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Thanks for your message. I thought about it being more as a result of low blood pressure and now that you mentioned shock my reading of high BP seems ok.Appointment with GP is my next step. Thanks again.

[Ppiman]

It's possible, I would think, that by the time you measured your BP it had reacted to the shock of the near-faint and gone much higher? This was more likely caused by a drop in BP, perhaps exacerbated by factors like blood sugar?

The ectopic beats might be the cause? I was told by the specialist I see that these can cause effects on the brain including light-headed feelings, by momentarily causing the BP to plummet, but not in measurable ways. Also low heartbeat and something called "bundle block" can cause this.

I wouldn't ignore it but see your GP for advice. Falls when we are older are, if I recall, a major cause of hospital admissions.

Steve

[Martgai in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks for your message, yes the high BP was probably shock, as you suggest. Fainting was not a nice experience. Will make appointment tomorrow to see GP.

[Sustainedvtach270]

I had 2 syncope episodes. The 1st one, I bounced back, I was feeling hot, sweating with heart palpitations. The 2 nd time, about 1 week later, I also felt dizzy, it could have been lethal if I was not hospitalized and being watched with a heart monitor. I went into sustained vtach with heart rate of 270, vfib and cardiac arrest.

[Martgai in reply to Sustainedvtach270]

Thanks for your message, I had to look up the word syncope, now I know that it can be dangerous, so appointment with GP is my priority. Thanks, M