I've recently being have tests for possible heart problems but my specialist seems to think i have vasovagal syncope.

[vicfaz]

i'm 42 yrs old female and I've been having heart palpitations for about 20 yrs on and off until 18 months ago they became a lot more frequent and included chest pain and fainting. After having ECG tapes fitted for 24hrs then a wk and then a month they then did heart scan with dopamine drugs which showed slight reflux in a valve but said it was nothing to worry about and isn't the cause of my problems. They now think i'm suffering from vasovagal syncope and after reading your leaflet that my specialist gave me i also agree this is more likely to be the problem. My problem is i am extremely over weight which my doctor refuses to help me with, and i have started to drink a lot more fluids etc like the leaflet says to ease symptoms but my symptoms are still the same. Also i suffer with sinusitis and when it is bad and i'm constantly blowing my nose or coughing hard i have an attack is this normal? My husband works away from home for weeks at a time and i'm home alone with a 3yr old daughter, when i have an attack she just sits stroking my hair until i come round, this is also frightening to think what could happen if i can't get my attacks under control!

[SyncopeTrust-STARS]

Fainting is often caused by a malfunction of the autonomic system which regulates the heart rate and blood pressure. Coughing and sneezing can sometimes place a sudden strain on the autonomic nervous system, which can also cause you to faint (situational syncope). If your doctor can help you control your sinusitis then this will I would hope help to reduce your fainting episodes. Avoiding dehydration is important as this can contribute to syncope but equally you should also increase your salt intake, but only after discussion with your doctor, and never if you are being teated for high blood pressure.

[Tweetyfromalabama]

I am wearing a heart tracker right now, n have all kinds of problems as well, dizzy fainting u name it n I do it, my heart dr says my heart looks good but they will probably end up doing a arteriogram but they have to make sure my neurosurgeon okays it first, I am continuously dizzy n I can't stand it, can't walk straight n I have to get everyone to take my kids to school for me, it's so depressing

[Hidden in reply to Tweetyfromalabama]

Sorry to hear about these problems you are having. Are you taking any medications that could be the cause? It is worth googling any you are regularly taking, including drugs for sinusitis. My sons and my husband suffer with sinusitis and they take a lot of over the counter remedies for it. Not all are terribly good for you long term, but it is difficult to shift isn't it? Check it out and see if this condition may be impacting on your breathing and oxygen supply. Being overweight may be a complication of this and could be causing additional strain on your heart perhaps?

An angiogram will show up any defects with the structure of your heart. Maybe this will be helpful too.

Some help with weight loss and sinusitis would be my first call I think. The fainting may be the symptom of all of this rather than a primary cause?

This is a guess btw!.

Take care, it sounds very distressing.