First time fainting.

[Warymade]

Hello,

I fainted last week completely out of the blue at work. Initial tests at A and E came back ok - so not stroke or heart attack. My blood pressure was very high though (200 over ?)and they thought it's related.

I went back to work (school teacher) and played it down with colleagues/family, 'I just fainted apparently...' My bp is still high (180/90?) and I find myself scared of it happening again.

I suppose I do function at an anxious level as a teacher and have anxiety issues although I have always felt I was coping.

I'm awaiting an appointment at neurology clinic, but in the meantime feel like I'm a bit in limbo, expecting to carry on as usual, not understanding why this has happened. I'm driving too although I understand that I have to inform DVLA.

The problem is feeling anxious leads to dizziness, headache, symptoms like just before I fainted - not helping at all!

I expect I've come here too early, and should update when I have spoken to consultant.....

Mary

[SyncopeTrust-STARS]

Syncope(fainting) is more often linked to low blood pressure and a one-off blood pressure reading does not necessarily mean that you have ‘high blood pressure’. It can vary throughout the day and if you are anxious or stressed it may be higher for a short period. Syncope is a symptom and anyone presenting with an unexplained loss of consciousness should be given a 12 lead ECG to rule out any underlying heart condition. You do not mention whether you received this in A & E but I assume you did.

I am not sure, based on the information you share, why you are being referred to a neurology clinic as syncope is caused by a problem in the regulation of blood pressure or by a problem with the heart. STARS has a Blackout Checklist which was

written to help doctors and their patients reach the correct diagnosis for any unexplained loss of consciousness. If you would like a copy or further guidance please email [e-mail]

[Warymade in reply to SyncopeTrust-STARS]

Thank you for your prompt reply.

I did have an ECG at the hospital, which came back with nothing untoward.

I have checked again and the clinic I have been referred to is a syncope clinic at Southampton General. I have looked at the STARs information, which was very useful indeed.

I think that when this incident happened and in the days following, I was fairly tired, but not overly anxious about it. Going back to work and as the time has progressed, I think this anxiety I am experiencing is due to a delayed reaction. I certainly didn't feel so shaky last week!

It appears that I have to simply accept that I fainted and it might happen again, which to be honest I find unsettling.

Hopefully when I have met with my consultant, I will feel more reassured.

Having the day off today and practising some yoga breathing to calm myself down.....

[dizzykaz]

Hi Mary

It is scary the first time you faint, because everybody is running round after you, you feel rubbish and have no idea what is happening.

Did you have ECG?

Anyway the main thing is that you have been referred!

Good luck

k

[Warymade in reply to dizzykaz]

Thank you for your msg K. I've seen consultant who detected a heart murmur and so I've had 24hr trace test and Echo cardiogram last week. Waiting to have feedback and expecting to be told that my black out was cardio related.

I'm not sure about what treatment I might be given - feeling quite unsettled still as I can't help wondering when it might happen again

Also feeling annoyed that I was sent home from A and E, with a referral for syncope clinic appt in AUGUST!! So could've been driving all that time 😳

What's your story?

Mary x

[dizzykaz in reply to Warymade]

Hi Mary

I have been struggling for five years. It all started when I got dizzy after stitting at desk at work and nearly passed out.

This started to happen quite regularly so went to drs - they said i did have low heart rate but this was because i was an athelete ( i cycle ) after a particularly bad attack i asked to be referred to cardiologist as i could accept that i had low h/r because i was fit - but i couldnt except i had started passing out as this was something that had just started to happen.

The cardiologist thought it was vaso vagal syncope and ordered a 24hr urine test which showed that i was feficient in sodium. He put me on salt and midodrine. This has been partly successful - a lot of the brain fog and extreme fatigue has lifted unless i have a bad attack.

The syncope has continued so i was teferred to black out clinic and on the mean time was admitted to a&e a couple of times with my syptoms. The ecgs captured heart block.

The cardio team at Manchester wanted to get more info so they have fitted me with a loop recorder which sends info on my heart and syptoms to them.

It has shown that my heart pauses.

The last appointment with the consultant - he told me that its time for a pacemaker!

So im on the eaiting list for a pacemaker.

I teally hope that it will sort my syncope out as it is disrupting especially when it happens at work . I have to wear trousers as i have to lay down with feet in air and i wear compression stockings to help pump the blood back up my legs.

You do worry when you have an attack! And i have had to tell everybody at work that i may pass out and what they need to do.

Im 48 and want to live life to the full doing the sport i love - 5 years is a long time to wait - but you have to keep plugging away to get to the bottom of it all and get the answers you need.

K

[Warymade]

It sounds like you have had an awful time. As you say 5 years is too long to live with this worry. I'm only 3 weeks down the line and not coping well with the uncertainty of when/where/if...

As you've been healthy it must be doubly hard. Are you actually blacking every time?

After my echocardiogram the radiologist said there was def a murmur but I'll have to wait to hear consultants views.

Like you I find myself telling people and that just feels like I can't just get on with life. Horrid.

Do you know how long you will have to wait for pacemaker procedure? We've been using our savings to go private - not ideal I know but needs must!

Anyway K - take care it has been comforting to talk with someone who understands x

[Mastaneh]

Hi Mary ..actually i fainted 4 days ago for the first time in my life i went to hospital They checked my heart and Brian but I've been asked to go for syncope test in following days i still don't know why it happened to me i scared a lot and I just googled it ...what was the reason of your fainting ? Are you ok now ?