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Fainting causes elderly. Syncope in the Elderly: Causes, Diagnosis, and Management of Fainting in Older Adults

What are the common causes of syncope in older adults. How is syncope diagnosed in elderly patients. What are the potential consequences of syncope for older individuals. How can syncope be effectively managed in the elderly population. What role does cardiovascular health play in syncope among older adults. How does age affect the presentation and treatment of syncope. Why is a multidisciplinary approach important for syncope in older patients.

Содержание

Understanding Syncope in the Elderly Population

Syncope, commonly known as fainting, is a significant health concern among older adults. It is characterized by a temporary loss of consciousness and postural tone, typically due to reduced blood flow to the brain. In the elderly population, syncope presents unique challenges in terms of diagnosis, management, and prevention.

The prevalence of syncope increases with age, with studies indicating a higher incidence in individuals over 70 years old. This increased prevalence is attributed to age-related physiological changes, multiple comorbidities, and polypharmacy often present in older adults.

Why is syncope more common in older adults?

  • Age-related changes in cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems
  • Higher prevalence of chronic diseases affecting circulation
  • Increased use of medications that can affect blood pressure and heart rate
  • Reduced ability to maintain homeostasis in response to stressors

Understanding the unique aspects of syncope in the elderly is crucial for healthcare providers to ensure proper diagnosis, treatment, and prevention strategies.

Common Causes of Syncope in Older Adults

Syncope in older adults can have multiple etiologies, often with overlapping causes. Identifying the underlying cause is essential for appropriate management and prevention of recurrence.

What are the primary causes of syncope in the elderly?

  1. Reflex (neurally mediated) syncope
  2. Orthostatic hypotension
  3. Cardiac arrhythmias
  4. Structural heart disease
  5. Carotid sinus hypersensitivity
  6. Neurological causes (e.g., stroke, transient ischemic attack)
  7. Medication-induced syncope

Reflex syncope, also known as vasovagal syncope, remains a common cause even in older adults. However, the presentation may differ from younger individuals, with older patients less likely to experience prodromal symptoms.

Orthostatic hypotension is particularly prevalent in the elderly due to age-related changes in blood pressure regulation and the side effects of various medications. It can lead to syncope when there is a sudden drop in blood pressure upon standing.

Cardiac causes, including arrhythmias and structural heart disease, become more significant contributors to syncope with advancing age. Atrial fibrillation, sick sinus syndrome, and atrioventricular blocks are among the arrhythmias commonly associated with syncope in older adults.

Diagnosis of Syncope in Elderly Patients

Diagnosing syncope in older adults can be challenging due to the complexity of potential causes and the frequent presence of comorbidities. A comprehensive approach is necessary to determine the underlying etiology and guide appropriate management.

What are the key components of syncope diagnosis in the elderly?

  • Detailed medical history
  • Physical examination
  • Cardiovascular assessment
  • Neurological evaluation
  • Laboratory tests
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG)
  • Specialized tests (e.g., tilt table test, carotid sinus massage)

The medical history is crucial in diagnosing syncope, but it can be complicated by amnesia for loss of consciousness, which is common in older adults with vasovagal syncope or carotid sinus syndrome. Collateral history from witnesses, if available, can provide valuable information about the circumstances and characteristics of the syncopal episode.

Physical examination should include orthostatic blood pressure measurements and a thorough cardiovascular and neurological assessment. The cardiovascular examination may reveal murmurs indicative of structural heart disease or carotid bruits suggesting carotid artery stenosis.

Electrocardiogram is an essential tool in the initial evaluation, as it can identify various cardiac abnormalities associated with syncope. However, a normal ECG does not rule out cardiac causes, and further cardiac investigations may be necessary.

Advanced Diagnostic Techniques for Syncope in the Elderly

When initial evaluations are inconclusive, advanced diagnostic techniques may be employed to identify the cause of syncope in older adults.

Which specialized tests are used in the diagnosis of syncope in elderly patients?

  • Holter monitoring
  • Event recorders
  • Implantable loop recorders
  • Echocardiography
  • Tilt table testing
  • Electrophysiology studies
  • Neuroimaging (CT or MRI)

Implantable loop recorders have shown particular utility in detecting arrhythmias in older patients with unexplained syncope. These devices can monitor heart rhythm for extended periods, increasing the likelihood of capturing an arrhythmic event during a syncopal episode.

Tilt table testing can be valuable in diagnosing vasovagal syncope and orthostatic hypotension, although its use in older adults may be limited by physical frailty or cognitive impairment.

Neuroimaging may be necessary to rule out cerebrovascular events or other neurological causes, particularly when the history or examination suggests a possible neurological etiology.

Impact of Syncope on Quality of Life in Older Adults

Syncope can have significant physical and psychological consequences for older adults, affecting their overall quality of life and independence.

How does syncope affect the well-being of elderly individuals?

  • Increased risk of falls and related injuries
  • Fear of falling leading to reduced physical activity
  • Loss of confidence and independence
  • Social isolation
  • Depression and anxiety
  • Cognitive decline

Studies have shown that recurrent syncope can impair physical and psychosocial function in older adults. The fear of fainting can lead to a self-imposed restriction of activities, further compromising overall health and well-being.

The overlap between syncope and falls in the elderly is significant, with syncope often presenting as unexplained falls. This association underscores the importance of comprehensive fall risk assessment in older adults presenting with syncope.

Management Strategies for Syncope in Older Patients

The management of syncope in older adults requires a multifaceted approach, tailored to the underlying cause and considering the individual’s overall health status and functional capacity.

What are the key components of syncope management in the elderly?

  1. Treatment of underlying causes
  2. Medication review and adjustment
  3. Non-pharmacological interventions
  4. Patient education and counseling
  5. Fall prevention strategies
  6. Cardiac pacing when indicated
  7. Regular follow-up and monitoring

Treatment of underlying causes is paramount. For cardiac syncope, this may involve antiarrhythmic medications, catheter ablation, or pacemaker implantation. In cases of orthostatic hypotension, management may include volume expansion, compression stockings, and medication adjustments.

Non-pharmacological interventions play a crucial role, particularly in reflex syncope. These may include physical counterpressure maneuvers, tilt training, and lifestyle modifications such as adequate hydration and avoidance of triggering factors.

Patient education is essential to empower older adults in managing their condition. This includes teaching recognition of prodromal symptoms, proper execution of physical counterpressure maneuvers, and strategies to maintain safety during daily activities.

The Role of Cardiovascular Health in Syncope Among Older Adults

Cardiovascular health plays a pivotal role in the occurrence and management of syncope in the elderly population. Age-related changes in the cardiovascular system, coupled with the higher prevalence of heart disease in older adults, significantly contribute to the increased risk of syncope.

How does cardiovascular health influence syncope in older individuals?

  • Age-related changes in vascular stiffness and baroreceptor sensitivity
  • Higher prevalence of structural heart disease
  • Increased incidence of cardiac arrhythmias
  • Altered response to orthostatic stress
  • Effects of cardiovascular medications on blood pressure regulation

The aging cardiovascular system is characterized by reduced elasticity of blood vessels, diminished baroreceptor sensitivity, and changes in autonomic function. These physiological changes can impair the body’s ability to maintain stable blood pressure and cerebral perfusion, increasing susceptibility to syncope.

Structural heart diseases, such as aortic stenosis and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, become more prevalent with age and can cause syncope through obstruction of blood flow or triggering of arrhythmias. Regular cardiovascular assessments and appropriate management of these conditions are crucial in preventing syncope in older adults.

Cardiac arrhythmias, particularly bradyarrhythmias like sick sinus syndrome and atrioventricular blocks, are common causes of syncope in the elderly. Proper diagnosis and management of these rhythm disturbances, often through cardiac pacing, can significantly reduce the risk of syncope.

Multidisciplinary Approach to Syncope in Older Patients

Given the complex nature of syncope in older adults, a multidisciplinary approach is often necessary for optimal diagnosis, management, and follow-up care.

Which specialties are typically involved in the care of elderly patients with syncope?

  • Geriatricians
  • Cardiologists
  • Neurologists
  • Electrophysiologists
  • Pharmacists
  • Physical therapists
  • Occupational therapists
  • Psychologists or psychiatrists

Geriatricians play a central role in coordinating care and addressing the multifaceted aspects of syncope in older adults. Their expertise in managing multiple comorbidities and considering the overall functional status of the patient is invaluable.

Cardiologists and electrophysiologists are essential for diagnosing and managing cardiac causes of syncope, including arrhythmias and structural heart diseases. They can provide specialized treatments such as catheter ablation or pacemaker implantation when indicated.

Neurologists contribute to the evaluation of potential neurological causes of syncope and can help differentiate syncope from seizures or other neurological events. They also play a role in managing autonomic dysfunction that may contribute to syncope.

Physical and occupational therapists can assist in fall prevention strategies and help improve overall mobility and safety. Psychologists or psychiatrists may be involved in addressing the psychological impact of recurrent syncope, including anxiety and depression.

Future Directions in Syncope Management for Older Adults

As the population continues to age, research into syncope in older adults is likely to expand, focusing on improving diagnostic accuracy, developing targeted interventions, and enhancing quality of life for affected individuals.

What are some promising areas of research in syncope management for the elderly?

  • Advanced monitoring technologies for long-term arrhythmia detection
  • Personalized risk stratification tools
  • Novel pharmacological treatments for orthostatic hypotension
  • Improved strategies for patient education and self-management
  • Integration of telemedicine in syncope care
  • Development of age-specific guidelines for syncope management

Advancements in wearable technology and remote monitoring devices hold promise for improving the detection and characterization of syncopal events in older adults. These technologies could provide more comprehensive data on heart rhythm, blood pressure, and other physiological parameters, aiding in diagnosis and management.

Research into personalized risk stratification tools could help identify older adults at highest risk for adverse outcomes related to syncope, allowing for more targeted interventions and follow-up strategies.

The development of novel pharmacological treatments for orthostatic hypotension, a common cause of syncope in the elderly, is an active area of research. These treatments aim to improve orthostatic tolerance while minimizing side effects common in older adults.

Telemedicine and remote monitoring technologies are likely to play an increasing role in the management of syncope in older adults, particularly for those with limited mobility or living in rural areas. These approaches could improve access to specialist care and enable more frequent monitoring and adjustment of treatment plans.

Syncope in the Elderly – PMC

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Syncope in Older Adults – What You Need to Know

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 6, 2023.

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What is syncope?

Syncope is also called fainting or passing out. Syncope is a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness, followed by a fall from a standing or sitting position. A syncope episode is usually short.

What causes or increases my risk for syncope?

Syncope is caused by a decrease in blood flow to the brain. When blood flow to the brain decreases, oxygen to the brain also decreases. Any of the following conditions may cause syncope:

  • Taking several medicines each day
  • Certain medicines, such as blood pressure medicines, heart medicines, or antidepressants
  • A medical condition such as severe anemia, uncontrolled diabetes, or a nerve disorder
  • A heart condition, such as a narrow artery or an irregular heartbeat
  • Dehydration
  • Problems with the blood vessels of your brain
  • Bleeding, especially in your stomach or intestines, or a blood clot that passes through your lungs
  • A rapid drop in blood pressure after a body position change, such as moving from lying to sitting or standing
  • Straining during bowel movements, a cough or sneeze, or a stressful or fearful situation
  • A medical condition that affects your lungs, such as pneumonia or asthma, or hyperventilation (breathing too quickly)

What signs and symptoms may occur before syncope?

  • Cold, clammy, and sweaty skin
  • Fast breathing and a racing, pounding heartbeat
  • Feeling more tired than usual
  • Nausea, a warm feeling, sweating, and lightheadedness
  • A headache or dizziness
  • Tingling sensation or numbness
  • Spots in front of your eyes, blurred vision, or double vision

How is the cause of syncope diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will examine you. He or she will ask if you have other medical conditions. Tell your provider everything you know about your syncope episode. Include where you were when you fainted and what you were doing before symptoms started. Tell your provider about any symptoms you had, such as a warm feeling or a fast heartbeat. Your provider will ask about your medical history, including any heart conditions in your family. Ask anyone who saw you faint to come with you to tell the provider details of what happened. Your provider may order the following tests to find out what is causing your symptoms:

  • Blood tests may be done to find the cause of your syncope.
  • Telemetry is continuous monitoring of your heart rhythm. Sticky pads placed on your skin connect to an EKG machine that records your heart rhythm.
  • An echocardiogram is a type of ultrasound. Sound waves are used to show the structure and function of your heart.
  • A stress test may show the changes that take place in your heart while it is under stress. Stress may be placed on your heart with exercise or medicine. Ask for more information about this test.
  • A tilt table test is used to check your heart and your blood pressure when you change positions.
  • A Holter monitor is also called a portable electrocardiography (EKG) monitor. It shows your heart’s electrical activity while you do your usual activities. The monitor is a small battery-operated device that you wear. It will show how fast your heart beats and if it beats in a regular pattern. Your healthcare provider may recommend this if you have syncope often over 2 to 3 days.

How is syncope treated?

Treatment depends on the cause of your syncope. To prevent syncope from happening again, you may need any of the following:

  • Medicines may be needed to help your heart pump strongly and regularly. Your healthcare provider may also make changes to any medicines that are causing syncope.
  • Tilt training involves training yourself to stand for 10 to 30 minutes each day against a wall. This helps your body decrease the effects of posture changes and reduces the number of fainting spells.

What can I do to manage syncope?

  • Keep a record of your syncope episodes. Include your symptoms and your activity before and after the episode. The record can help your healthcare provider find the cause of your syncope and help you manage episodes.
  • Sit or lie down when needed. This includes when you feel dizzy, your throat is getting tight, and your vision changes. Raise your legs above the level of your heart. Your healthcare provider may also recommend that you keep the head of your bed elevated. This can help keep your blood pressure from dropping too low.
  • Check your blood pressure often. This is important if you take medicine to lower your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure when you are lying down and when you are standing. Ask how often to check during the day. Keep a record of your blood pressure numbers. Your healthcare provider may use the record to help plan your treatment.
  • Use assistive devices as directed. Your healthcare provider may suggest that you use a cane or walker to help you keep your balance. You may need to have grab bars put in your bathroom near the toilet or in the shower.

What can I do to prevent a syncope episode?

  • Move slowly and let yourself get used to one position before you move to another position. This is very important when you change from a lying or sitting position to a standing position. Take some deep breaths before you stand up from a lying position. Stand up slowly. Sudden movements may cause a fainting spell. Sit on the side of the bed or couch for a few minutes before you stand up. If you are on bedrest, try to be upright for about 2 hours each day, or as directed. Do not lock your legs if you are standing for a long period of time. Move your legs and bend your knees to keep blood flowing.
  • Follow your healthcare provider’s recommendations. Your provider may recommend that you drink more liquids to prevent dehydration. You may also need to have more salt to keep your blood pressure from dropping too low and causing syncope. Your provider will tell you how much liquid and sodium to have each day. He or she will also tell you how much physical activity is safe for you. This will depend on what is causing your syncope.
  • Watch for signs of low blood sugar. These include hunger, nervousness, sweating, and fast or fluttery heartbeats. Talk with your healthcare provider about ways to keep your blood sugar level steady.
  • Do not strain if you are constipated. You may faint if you strain to have a bowel movement. Walking is the best way to get your bowels moving. Eat foods high in fiber to make it easier to have a bowel movement. Good examples are high-fiber cereals, beans, vegetables, and whole-grain breads. Prune juice may help make bowel movements softer.
  • Be careful in hot weather. Heat can cause a syncope episode. Limit activity done outside on hot days. Physical activity in hot weather can lead to dehydration. This can cause an episode.

When should I seek immediate care?

  • You are bleeding because you accidently hit your head after fainting.
  • You suddenly have double vision, difficulty speaking, numbness, and cannot move your arms or legs.
  • You have chest pain and trouble breathing.
  • You vomit blood or material that looks like coffee grounds.
  • You see blood in your bowel movement.

When should I contact my healthcare provider?

  • You have another fainting spell.
  • You have a headache, fast heartbeat, or feel too dizzy to stand up.
  • You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

© Copyright Merative 2023 Information is for End User’s use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

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IV.1. Syncope in the elderly

CHAPTER 2 SECTION IV

IV

Special aspects

The most common causes of syncope in the elderly are orthostatic hypotension, reflex syncope, especially carotid sinus syndrome, and arrhythmias. 198,199 There may be a combination of causes in the same patient, making diagnosis difficult. The frequency of hospitalizations associated with orthostatic hypotension increases with age: from 4.2% in patients aged 65–74 years to 30.5% in patients over 75 years of age. cases, it is associated with drugs or atrial fibrillation. Elderly people with orthostatic hypotension often have an increase in systolic blood pressure when lying down, which makes treatment difficult, since most drugs used for orthostatic hypotension increase blood pressure, and vice versa.

Carotid sinus cardioinhibition syndrome is the cause of symptoms in 20% of patients with syncope. The incidence of the vasodepressor form is about the same,198 but its role in the development of syncope is questionable.

Diagnostic testing

By following a standard algorithm, more than 90% of elderly people who complain of syncope can be diagnosed.[199] In the elderly, some aspects of the anamnesis are of diagnostic value, which are not always easy to find out. Fainting in the morning testifies in favor of orthostatic hypotension. About a third of people over the age of 65 take at least three prescription drugs that can cause or contribute to fainting. The abolition of such drugs reduces the frequency of fainting and falls.[200] Need to rate

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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SAINTES (2009 EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY RECOMMENDATIONS)

chronological relationship between drug use and syncope. When collecting an anamnesis, concomitant diseases and disorders of locomotor function are assessed. Changes in gait, balance disorders and decreased protective reflexes are observed in 20-50% of older people. Under these conditions, moderate changes in hemodynamics, insufficient for the development of syncope, can lead to falls. In this regard, the description of the transferred episode by the witness is important, although in 60% of cases such information is not available.[200] Cognitive disorders are observed in 5% of patients over the age of 65 and 20% of people over the age of 80. In such cases, the patient may not always be able to describe fainting and falling.[40] When examining patients, it is necessary to determine cognitive function, as well as social activity, the presence of injuries, the effect of syncope on self-confidence and the ability to perform daily activities.

Definitive diagnosis is less common at initial examination than in younger people because symptoms suggestive of vasovagal syncope are less common in older people.40,198 Autonomic function testing (carotid sinus massage, tilt test) may be required. Neurological examination, including assessment of gait and balance, is advisable. If cognitive impairment is suspected, it is assessed using the MMSE scale. Otherwise, the same examination is performed in older people as in younger patients (with the exception of massage of the carotid snius in the supine and standing positions). Some important aspects of diagnosing and treating the elderly are listed below:

• Orthostatic hypotension is not always reproducible in the elderly (especially drug-induced and age-related). In this regard, it is necessary to repeatedly measure blood pressure in a standing position, especially in the morning and / or immediately after fainting.

•Carotid sinus massage is of particular importance, although nonspecific carotid sinus hypersensitivity often occurs in the absence of a history of syncope.

• In the diagnosis of reflex syncope in the elderly, the tilt test is well tolerated and safe. The frequency of positive results is comparable to that in younger patients, especially after provocation with nitroglycerin.

227

CHAPTER 2 SECTION IV

• 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring may be helpful, especially if instability (drug or after meals) is suspected.

• Given the high incidence of arrhythmias, the use of implantable monitors is of particular importance in the elderly with unexplained syncope.[108,119,120]

Evaluation of the elderly

Advanced age is not a contraindication to evaluation and treatment. However, in debilitated patients, the scope of investigations depends on their ability to perform certain tests and prognosis. In mobile elderly people with normal cognitive function, the examination plan corresponds to that of younger patients. Orthostatic test, carotid sinus massage and tilt test are well tolerated even in old people with cognitive impairments. Older people are more likely to have multiple risk factors, and differentiating falls from syncope can be difficult. In one recent study, elderly people with cognitive impairment had an average of 5 risk factors for fainting and falls.[57] There is evidence that the modification of cardiovascular risk factors for falls/fainting causes a decrease in their frequency in older people, even those with dementia, excluding patients who were in nursing homes.[201] The impact of hypotension and arrhythmias on cognitive function in patients with dementia remains unknown.[58]

Diagnostic examination

Diagnostic methods for children are the same as for adults. In most children, fainting is of a reflex origin, but in rare cases they are a symptom of life-threatening arrhythmias or organic changes. Syncope should be differentiated from epilepsy and psychogenic pseudo-syncope, which are rare but important causes of transient loss of consciousness in children. In early childhood, two special conditions are observed[202]:

228

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF SAINTES (RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE EUROPEAN SOCIETY OF CARDIOLOGY 2009)

which can be caused by short-acting unpleasant triggers and are due to inhibition of cardiac function mediated by the parasympathetic system;

2. Hypoxic transient loss of consciousness due to apnea, which is characterized by the cessation of breathing on expiration during crying and leads to cyanosis and usually transient loss of consciousness.

Careful history taking, including family history, and ECG in standard leads are most important for the differential diagnosis of benign reflex syncope (including reflex anoxic convulsions) and other causes. With a burdened family history, genetic diseases of the electrical system of the heart should first be excluded. Some children with reflex syncope also have a positive family history,[203] in which genetic factors have not been identified. In patients with a history of typical reflex syncope, physical examination and ECG are usually sufficient. The tilt test is often false positive or false negative, so it should be used with caution in diagnosing reflex syncope. An unusually high frequency of pre-syncope (40%) was noted during the test with the introduction of an intravenous catheter in children and adolescents. Tilt testing protocols that are used in adults may have low specificity in adolescents. In one study, the tilt test was performed for a shorter period (10 min) at an angle of 60 or 70o.

The specificity of the method was 85%.[204] In young adults, syncope is rarely the initial manifestation of unusual but life-threatening conditions such as long QT syndrome, Kearns-Sayre syndrome (ophthalmoplegia and progressive heart block), Brugada syndrome, catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia, Wolff-Parkinson syndrome White, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, pulmonary arterial hypertension, myocarditis, arrhythmia after correction of congenital heart disease, or abnormal origin of a coronary artery.

229

Fainting, causes and treatment

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Symptoms

Fainting state

Fainting – loss of consciousness as a result of a sharp decrease in the blood supply to the brain. A third of the world’s population faces this phenomenon. Fainting is not always considered a symptom of serious illness, but it still requires a medical examination. You can get treatment for fainting, diseases and injuries that cause it, at the CMRT clinic.

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Causes of fainting

Fainting may occur due to the following reasons:

  • lowering of blood pressure;
  • lack of oxygen;
  • loss of blood;
  • dehydration;
  • circulatory disorders;
  • surge of emotions;
  • sharp pains;
  • microstrokes in the elderly;
  • vascular and heart diseases;
  • prolonged stay in a stuffy room;
  • diseases of the stomach;
  • anemia;
  • arrhythmia;
  • hypoglycemia.

Another common cause of presyncope is neurogenic disorders. They are caused by the following factors:

  • stressful situations;
  • intense fear;
  • fatigue;
  • certain medications;
  • hot weather.

Also, neurogenic syncope occurs with significant blood loss, anemia, diabetes mellitus and alcohol abuse.

Article checked

Konovalova G. N.

Neurologist • 44 years of experience

Publication date: March 24, 2021

Review date: January 14, 2023

149 Diagnostic methods

First of all, the doctor conducts a clinical examination of the patient. A 24-hour ECG recording may be required to confirm the diagnosis to monitor for abnormal heart rhythms that may have caused syncope. If a person has anemia or diabetes mellitus, then doctors recommend taking a general blood test and a blood sugar test.

To determine the cause of neurogenic syncope, it is necessary to carry out tests showing autonomic reactivity. This may be a test with tracking ECG, blood pressure and electroencephalogram for 30 minutes in an upright position and with a sharp transition to a horizontal position, and then back to its original position. Additional research methods include ultrasound of internal organs, computed tomography and MRI.

In CMRT clinics, the causes of syncope are identified by the following methods:

Which doctor to contact

Make an appointment with the CMRT clinic’s therapist. Our specialist will conduct an initial diagnosis and determine which doctor you need to visit for further treatment – a cardiologist, phlebologist, neurologist.

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How to treat fainting

In case of fainting, the first aid is that the person should be laid on a flat surface, the lower limbs should be slightly raised up. The room must be well ventilated. It is also necessary to free the neck and chest from clothes, to provide the person with complete rest. To raise blood sugar levels, give a cup of sweet tea to drink.

For syncope of a neurogenic nature, complex treatment is used. All measures are aimed at stabilizing the psycho-emotional state and eliminating the cause of fainting. In cardiac arrhythmia, antiarrhythmic drugs are used. If a patient is diagnosed with iron deficiency anemia, the doctor prescribes iron-containing medications to increase the number of red blood cells and hemoglobin. Pain medications or analgesics can help relieve pain. The duration of the course of treatment depends on the cause that caused fainting.

CMRT clinics use the following methods to treat syncope and its causes:

Consequences

Prevention


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Moskaleva V.V.

Editor • Journalist • Experience 10 years

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The materials posted on the site are written by authors with medical education and specialists from the CMRT company

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