Symptoms, Causes & Risk Factors
Symptoms
Fainting can happen suddenly or it may be preceded by other symptoms, called premonitory symptoms. These symptoms may include:
- Light headedness
- Light headedness
- Dizziness
- Sweaty palms
- Sweaty palms
- Fading vision
Sometimes, people with syncope are able to avoid fainting spells by recognizing the premonitory symptoms and then lying down or elevating their legs.
Common Causes
There are many reasons why people faint. Some causes include:
- Changes in blood pressure
- Changes in heart rate
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Anemia (an inadequate quantity of healthy red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to your tissues)
- Improper blood circulation
- Metabolic and lung disorders
- Standing too fast
- Exhaustion
- Emotional stress
- Pain
- Overheating
- Illness
- Some medications
Sometimes, fainting causes are harmless. Other times, they can be life threatening. Whether you have a single episode of fainting or repeat spells, seek the advice of your doctor.
When meeting with your doctor:
- Share the results of a Fainting Quiz
- Provide your Fainting History
- Bring along a Conversation Guide
Risk Factors
Some causes of unexplained fainting are harmless, but others may be serious. Heart-related causes, such as abnormal heart rhythms, are among the most serious causes of fainting. If you do not have any warning signs before you faint, you may be at risk to fall unexpectedly and be injured.1
Reference
- Edvardsson N, Frykman V, van Mechelin R, et al. Use of an implantable loop recorder to increase the diagnostic yield in unexplained syncope: results from the PICTURE registry. Europace. February 2011;13(2):262-269.