What are the possible causes of sudden dizziness and sweating in men? What symptoms may accompany these conditions? When should someone seek medical attention for these symptoms?

Hypoglycemia: A Potential Culprit

Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, is a common cause of sudden dizziness and sweating in men. This condition can be a side effect of diabetes medications like insulin, or it may occur due to skipping meals, not eating enough, or being ill. Symptoms of hypoglycemia can come on quickly and include headaches, shakiness, weakness, fatigue, paleness, irritability, blurry vision, loss of coordination, and confusion. Consuming foods or drinks with carbohydrates can help raise blood sugar and alleviate these symptoms.

Hyperthyroidism: When the Thyroid Produces Too Much

Hyperthyroidism, a condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much thyroid hormone, can also lead to dizziness and sweating. Increased sweating is a common symptom of hyperthyroidism, and dizziness may occur due to a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Other signs of hyperthyroidism include feeling fatigued, hot or heat intolerant, irritable or nervous, trouble sleeping, increased appetite, and unexplained weight loss. Treatment options for hyperthyroidism include medications, radioactive iodine treatment, and in some cases, surgical removal of all or part of the thyroid gland.

Heat Exhaustion: When the Body Overheats

Heat exhaustion is another potential cause of sudden dizziness and sweating. This condition occurs when the body overheats, often due to prolonged exposure to heat or overexertion in hot weather. In addition to heavy sweating and dizziness, symptoms of heat exhaustion include cold or clammy skin, paleness, weakness, muscle cramping, headache, rapid and weak pulse, nausea or vomiting, and fainting. Taking measures to cool the body, such as moving to a cooler place, removing excess clothing, applying cool compresses, and hydrating with water, can help alleviate heat exhaustion.

Heart Attack: A Serious Medical Emergency

A heart attack, a life-threatening condition in which blood flow to the heart is blocked, can also cause dizziness and sweating. Chest pain is the primary symptom of a heart attack, but cold sweats and dizziness can also occur. Other signs include pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, and arms, shortness of breath, and nausea or vomiting. It’s important to note that symptoms can vary between men and women, with women more likely to experience symptoms like sleep disturbances, anxiety, and sudden fatigue prior to a heart attack. If you or someone else experiences symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 immediately.

Motion Sickness: When the Brain Gets Mixed Signals

Motion sickness, which occurs when the brain receives conflicting information about the body’s motion and position, can also lead to dizziness and cold sweats. Nausea and vomiting are also common symptoms of motion sickness. Over-the-counter and prescription medications can be used to treat motion sickness, and taking preventive measures, such as sitting toward the front and facing forward on trains, buses, or boats, and avoiding reading in a moving vehicle, can help reduce the risk of experiencing these unpleasant symptoms.

Hot Flashes: A Menopausal Symptom

Hot flashes, a common symptom of menopause, are sudden, short-lived increases in body temperature that can lead to flushing and sweating. The increase in body temperature during a hot flash may also cause feelings of dizziness due to an increase in heart rate. Hormone replacement therapy and home remedies, such as keeping cold water or an ice pack on hand and wearing easily removable layers, may help alleviate hot flashes.

Panic Attacks: An Anxiety Disorder

Panic disorder, a type of anxiety disorder, can also cause dizziness and sweating during a panic attack. In addition to these physical symptoms, panic attacks can also include shaking or trembling, rapid heartbeat, feelings of weakness, chills, chest tightness or pain, shortness of breath, and abdominal pain or nausea. Panic disorder is typically treated by a mental health professional using a combination of medications and psychotherapy.

When to Seek Medical Attention

If you experience sudden dizziness and sweating, it’s important to pay attention to any accompanying symptoms and seek medical care if necessary. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, or other signs of a heart attack. Additionally, if the dizziness and sweating are accompanied by symptoms like confusion, severe headache, or loss of consciousness, it’s best to seek medical care right away. For less severe cases, you may want to consult your healthcare provider to help determine the underlying cause and appropriate treatment.

Causes, Symptoms, When to Get Care

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most likely causes of dizziness and sweating, and why these symptoms may happen at the same time.

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is when you have low blood sugar. This condition is a potential side effect of diabetes medications like insulin. It can also happen due to skipping meals, not eating enough, or being ill.

The symptoms of hypoglycemia typically come on suddenly and can vary from one person to the next. In addition to dizziness and sweating, other symptoms you may experience include:

• headache
• shakiness
• feeling weak or fatigued
• paleness
• irritability or nervousness
• blurry vision
• loss of coordination
• confusion

You can often raise your blood sugar by consuming foods or drinks that contain carbs when you begin to feel symptoms. Examples include fruit, fruit juice, crackers, hard candy, or sodas.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is when your thyroid produces too much thyroid hormone. Thyroid hormone is important for your metabolism, digestion, and heart.

An increase in sweating is a symptom of hyperthyroidism. Dizziness may also occur due to a rapid or irregular heartbeat. Some other symptoms of hyperthyroidism may include:

• feeling fatigued
• feeling hot or being heat intolerant
• irritability or nervousness
• trouble sleeping
• increased appetite
• increased frequency of bowel movements
• unexplained weight loss

Some of the treatment options for hyperthyroidism include medications and radioactive iodine treatment. In some cases, a doctor may recommend a surgical procedure in which all or part of the thyroid is removed.

Heat exhaustion

Heat exhaustion happens when your body overheats. This can be due to prolonged exposure to heat or overexerting yourself in hot weather.

Heavy sweating and dizziness are both signs of heat exhaustion. Other symptoms to look out for include:

• skin that feels cold or clammy
• paleness
• feeling weak or fatigued
• muscle cramping
• headache
• quick, weak pulse
• nausea or vomiting
• fainting

You can help ease heat exhaustion by taking measures like moving to a cooler place, removing excess clothing, and applying cool compresses. Sipping water to rehydrate can also be beneficial.

Heart attack

A heart attack happens when blood flow to the heart is blocked. This is a medical emergency. If you or someone else experiences symptoms of a heart attack, call 911.

The main symptom of a heart attack is chest pain. However, cold sweats and dizziness can also occur. Other signs of a heart attack include:

• pain or discomfort in other areas, such as the jaw, neck, back, and arms
• shortness of breath
• nausea or vomiting

It’s important to know that symptoms can vary between men and women. While chest pain is the main symptom for both, women are more likely to have other symptoms prior to a heart attack, such as:

• sleep disturbances
• anxiety
• unusual or sudden fatigue

Heart attacks are treated with medications, and sometimes with surgery, such as stent placement or bypass.

Motion sickness

Motion sickness happens when your brain gets conflicting information about your body’s motion and position. It can often occur during travel via car, boat, or plane.

Symptoms can include dizziness and cold sweats, as well as nausea and vomiting.

Both over-the-counter and prescription medications can be used to treat motion sickness. You can also take steps to try to prevent motion sickness by:

• sitting toward the front and facing forward on trains, buses, or boats
• sitting in the front of a car, not in the back seat
• not reading in a moving vehicle

Hot flashes

Hot flashes are sudden, short-lived increases in body temperature. They’re a common symptom of menopause. Hot flashes happen due to decreases in the hormone estrogen.

The increase in body temperature can lead to flushing and sweating. Additionally, heart rate can increase during a hot flash, which may lead to feelings of dizziness.

Hormone replacement therapy may help some women who experience hot flashes. Home remedies such as keeping cold water or an ice pack on hand and wearing easily removable layers may also help.

Panic attack

Panic disorder is a type of anxiety disorder. People with panic disorder have panic attacks, during which they experience intense feelings of fear or anxiety. Panic attacks typically come on suddenly and can last for several minutes or more.

Dizziness and sweating are both physical symptoms of a panic attack. Other symptoms include:

• shaking or trembling
• rapid heartbeat
• feeling weak
• chills
• chest tightness or pain
• shortness of breath
• abdominal pain
• nausea

Panic disorder is usually treated by a mental health professional. Treatment typically involves medications, psychotherapy, or both.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)

BPPV is a condition that affects the inner ear. People with BPPV experience severe feelings of vertigo when they change the position of their head, such as bending over or turning quickly. Episodes of BPPV typically last less than a minute.

There are crystals in your inner ear that monitor the positioning of your head. BPPV happens when these crystals become dislodged. This can cause an intense dizzy spell that seems to come out of nowhere.

Some people with BPPV may also sweat while enduring feelings of dizziness or vertigo. Other symptoms may include:

• nausea and vomiting
• loss of balance
• paleness

Treatment for BPPV involves the Epley maneuver, which can help reposition the dislodged crystals in your ear. In some cases, surgery may be recommended.

Fainting

Fainting is when you temporarily lose consciousness. You can faint if your brain isn’t receiving enough oxygen. This most often happens due to a sudden drop in blood pressure.

Prior to fainting, a person may experience feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness. In some cases, sweating may also occur. Other symptoms to be aware of include:

• rapid or irregular heartbeat
• nausea
• changes to vision or hearing

Many times, fainting isn’t a cause of concern. However, in some cases, it may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition. Treatment involves addressing the specific cause of your fainting.

Dumping syndrome

Dumping syndrome is a condition in which the contents of your stomach empty too rapidly. The most common cause is surgery involving the esophagus or stomach. Other potential causes include diabetes and duodenal ulcers.

Sweating and feeling dizzy or lightheaded can be symptoms of dumping syndrome. Other symptoms may include:

• bloating
• frequent stomach growling
• abdominal pain
• nausea
• diarrhea
• flushing of the face, neck, or chest
• headache
• fatigue

Dumping syndrome can be treated with medications, and sometimes with surgery. Your doctor may also recommend changes to your diet, such as eating smaller meals, fewer carbs, and more fiber, protein, and fat.

If you experience dizziness and sweating that’s unexplained, happens frequently, or begins to interfere with your daily activities, see your doctor. They can help determine what may be causing your symptoms.

If you don’t already have a primary care doctor, the Healthline FindCare tool can help you find a physician in your area.

Seek emergency medical care for dizziness and sweating that occurs with the following symptoms:

• chest pain
• trouble breathing
• quick or irregular heartbeat
• headache that comes on suddenly and is severe
• prolonged vomiting
• weakness or numbness, particularly in the face and limbs
• changes in vision or hearing
• loss of coordination
• fainting
• confusion

In order to diagnose the cause of your dizziness and sweating, your doctor will first:

• Ask about your symptoms. Your doctor will ask you to describe your symptoms, when they began, and how long they’ve lasted.
• Take your medical history. This can include getting information on any medications you’re taking, underlying conditions you may have, or health conditions that run in your family.
• Perform a physical examination. This may include taking your temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate.

Sometimes, your doctor may be able to diagnose your condition based on your symptoms, medical history, and a physical examination. However, they may also perform additional tests. This may include:

• Blood tests. Blood tests can help indicate any underlying issues with blood sugar levels, thyroid hormone levels, and heart health.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG). An ECG measures the electrical activity of your heart and can be used to help diagnose or rule out potential heart conditions.
• Imaging tests. These can give your doctor a detailed picture of what’s going on in your body. Examples include X-rays, CT scans, and MRI scans.
• Hearing and balance tests. If your doctor suspects a condition that affects balance or equilibrium, they may assess eye and head movement or perform tilt-table testing.

There are times when dizziness and sweating can occur together. There are a variety of conditions that can cause these symptoms. Some conditions aren’t serious. However, other conditions, such as a heart attack, require immediate medical attention.

Make an appointment with your doctor if your symptoms recur, affect your day-to-day activities, or can’t be explained by an existing condition.

Always seek emergency care for dizziness and sweating that occur with other symptoms like chest pain, trouble breathing, or severe headache.

What Causes Dizziness and Sweating?

December 18, 2022December 18, 2022

Dizziness is more of an umbrella term referring to a number of physical discomforts, ranging from feeling lightheaded and confused to passing out. Sometimes, you experience it and sweating together, and this could make you feel concerned. Do these issues indicate anything serious? Let’s find out more about it.

What Causes Dizziness and Sweating?

The truth is that a variety of problems can lead to dizziness and profuse sweating. Some of these are not that serious, while others require immediate medical attention. Here are some common causes.

1. Fibromyalgia

Chronic dizziness is one of main symptoms of fibromyalgia. The condition leads to serious pain in the connective tissue and muscles. What causes fibromyalgia is not yet clear, but scientists believe that it is a musculoskeletal disease and requires attention. Sweating is another common symptom associated with fibromyalgia.

2. Hypertension

People suffering from high blood pressure or hypertension may experience sweating, dizziness, and nausea. This usually happens when there is a sudden rise in your blood pressure levels. You can manage your condition better by learning to relax your mind and body.

3. Side Effects of Medicines

Certain drugs and medications can lead to a hormonal imbalance which in turn can produce several symptoms, including sweating and dizziness. This is usually true when you take birth control pills. The same may happen when you take antibiotics on a long-term basis. Talk to your doctor if you believe you are feeling dizzy after starting a new medication.

4. Hormonal Changes

Even if you are not taking certain medications, there may be a change in your hormones with age. The food you eat can also cause a hormonal imbalance. Women are more likely to experience hormonal changes, especially during ovulation, and that is when they are more likely to experience problems like sweating, dizziness, nausea, and more.

Similarly, there will be hormonal changes during menopause and pregnancy. If you are pregnant, you may experience morning sickness that leads to dehydration and causes dizziness and sweating as well.

5. Infection

An infection can cause vomiting and diarrhea, which may result in dehydration. When you are dehydrated, it is quite common to feel dizzy at times. Both viral and bacterial infections can make you weak, and this increases your risk of having vertigo-like symptoms.

6. Panic Attack

Excessive sweating along with dizziness is also common during panic attacks. A panic attack is actually a type of anxiety disorder which leads to a sudden activation of the fight-or-flight response. You may also experience some other symptoms, such as nausea, impending doom, chest pain, vomiting, and trouble swallowing.

7. Hypoglycemia

Low glucose levels or hypoglycemia can cause anxiety, shakiness, irritability, clammy skin, dizziness and sweating. Many diabetics have to deal with hypoglycemia. Sometimes, hypoglycemia is the result of serious disorders such as genetic enzyme defects and tumors.

8. Low Blood Pressure

You may feel dizzy when your blood pressure is very low. People suffering from low blood pressure should be very careful when changing their body positions. You should never change your position from lying down to sitting up too quickly. You may also notice this issue when bending down.

A sudden fall in your blood pressure may also lead to other symptoms, such as headache, visual disturbances, lightheadedness, sweating and short unconsciousness.

9. Hyperthyroidism

You develop hyperthyroidism when your thyroid glands start producing too much of thyroid hormone. Along with feeling dizzy, you may have other symptoms as well, such as sweating, nervousness, sudden paralysis, shortness of breath, insomnia, heart palpitations, and tremors.

10. Heart Attack or Stroke

You may experience dizziness and fainting sensations when you have a heart attack or stroke. However, there will always be some other symptoms as well, such as pain in the chest, shoulder, neck, or back along with cold sweats, shortness of breath, speech problems, impaired movement in limbs, vertigo, and impaired vision.

11. Motions Sickness

Also called travel sickness, motion sickness is often characterized by nausea, dizziness, fatigue, sweating, and vomiting. You experience this issue when the sensory nerves of your eyes and inner ear are not coordinated.

What Can You Do?

If you have regular episodes of dizziness and sweating, be sure to see your doctor. Your doctor will ask about other symptoms and perform a complete exam to make a correct diagnosis. They may recommend medications along with lifestyle changes to help make you feel better.

Causes of dizziness in men. Why do men get dizzy?

Causes of dizziness in men. Why do men get dizzy?

Gimranov Rinat Fazylzhanovich
Neurologist, neurophysiologist, experience – 33 years;
Professor of Neurology, MD;
Clinic for Rehabilitation Neurology. About the Author

Date Published: April 17, 2021

Updated: October 25, 2022

Dizziness is a common symptom. It occurs as a manifestation of a serious illness, more often – an expression of fatigue or the influence of external negative factors.

As a rule, single and short-term attacks are easily explained by physiological causes [1]. The main thing is that they are not accompanied by any unpleasant symptoms-companions.

Such a state passes quickly and then does not repeat soon. However, at times, the head begins to spin regularly. The problem interferes with living a full life, working, resting. In addition, there are other signs of ill health. In such cases, entrust doctors to find out what makes men dizzy.

Article content:

• 1 Types of vertigo
• 2 Causes
  • 2.1 Weak vestibular apparatus
  • 2.2 Hypotension or low blood pressure
  • 2.3 M igren
  • 2.4 Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine
  • 2.5 Inflammatory processes in the area of ​​the inner ear
  • 2.6 Brain tumors
  • 2.7 Bad habits
• 3 Dangerous symptoms
• 4 Diagnosis
• 5 Treatment
• 6 List of used literature

Types of dizziness

To accurately determine the diagnosis and identify the cause of the frequent dizziness in men after 40-50 years of age or young guys, you need to understand what kind of dizziness you are facing. The following options are possible:

1. Systemic dizziness. The problem arose in the form of a disruption in the work of the vestibular apparatus itself or the part of the brain responsible for the work of the balance system. Also called vertigo. In this case, the patient can explain in detail in which direction he feels the movement of the body, at what speed, whether there is an inclination, whether objects are moving relative to his body. Often occurs with diseases of the inner ear.

1. Non-systemic, when the problem lies outside the vestibular apparatus. With a deterioration in well-being, a person does not have a feeling of the movement of objects around him. Often, clouding of consciousness, loss of coordination, fainting sensation and weakness are taken for dizziness.

1. Cervicogenic, sometimes called cervical. Due to the pathology of the cervical spine, the signals passing through the nerve fibers of the spinal cord and delivering information about the exact position of the body to the centers of balance are distorted. If the incoming information is distorted, a person has a problem with awareness of his position in space and there is a feeling close to dizziness [2].

Periodically, dizziness is confused with an imbalance that occurs when the cerebellum is damaged.

Causes

The “male” spectrum of problems is not much different from that of women. Both serious illnesses and the negative impact of external factors can cause discomfort. Therefore, special attention should be paid to concomitant symptoms that appear simultaneously with an attack or after it.

The main causes of severe dizziness in men at the age of 30 or later will be considered in more detail.

Weak vestibular apparatus

The problem will begin to manifest from a very young age. In the absence of elaboration, it will spoil life until adulthood. Such people, both at 12 and at 35, can easily get sick in transport or on an attraction. They do not tolerate sudden changes in speed, gymnastic exercises that require sudden flips. A similar condition occurs with BPPV – benign paroxysmal positional vertigo [3].

Hypotension or low blood pressure

The brain does not receive enough blood, which provokes attacks of dizziness. In this case, a decrease in blood pressure in itself can be a symptom of a developing pathology in the body. And it can also serve as a manifestation of VVD according to the hypotonic type. It is dangerous when such a condition becomes frequent.

Migraine

In the presence of basilar-vestibular migraine, shortly before the onset of an attack, a man will feel the warning signs. These can act as sudden dizziness. In this case, vertigo can last only a minute immediately before the onset of pain, or accompany the entire attack for hours, worsening the person’s condition.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine

Due to the gradual degradation of bone tissue in this area and the appearance of growths on the vertebrae, blood circulation is disturbed, neuritis begins.

This leads to a lack of oxygen supply to the brain and an incorrect transmission of impulses through the nervous system to the brain. As a result, the balance receptors in the neck do not work properly, the head does not receive accurate information about its position in space.

Inflammatory processes in the area of ​​the inner ear

In this case, in addition to dizziness and pain, there will also be purulent or bloody discharge from the ears in this area.

Tumors in the brain

Both directly in the nervous tissue and on the membranes of the brain. Due to the gradual growth, tumors disrupt the work of those departments, on the tissues of which they press. Including – and in the field of the vestibular department.

Bad habits

Drinking alcohol, smoking, gradually lead to damage to the cardiovascular system. In parallel, damage is done to brain cells, including the vestibular apparatus.

If smoking leads to constant constriction and expansion of blood vessels, then alcohol abuse provokes intoxication of the whole organism.

Traumatic brain injuries and certain medicines can also cause discomfort. Even simple fatigue and lack of sleep.

It can be seen that there are a lot of reasons why this symptom may appear. To understand the situation, it is extremely important for the doctor to determine the accompanying signs of the disease.

Danger symptoms

When men aged 30-35 feel dizzy and feel nauseous, you can decide what to do by understanding the cause of this condition.

Often minimal measures are enough to bring a person to his senses, to get rid of unpleasant sensations. However, there are cases in which it is necessary to seek medical help as soon as possible

There is no time to waste and it is necessary to call for emergency medical care in such situations that accompany an attack of vertigo:

1. loss of balance, inability to stand on one’s feet;
2. nausea to the point of vomiting;
3. severe headache;
4. increased heart rate;
5. double vision;

1. sudden increase in body temperature above 38 degrees;
2. problems with speech, memory, understanding the speech of others;
3. excessive sweating in large drops, discoloration of the face;
4. a sharp uncharacteristic drop in blood pressure, accompanied by severe tachycardia (increased heart rate).

In such cases, the life of a person often depends on how quickly medical care is provided [4].

Diagnosis

Sudden severe dizziness and nausea in men after 40-50 years, even with normal pressure for no apparent reason, is a sign of poor health.

At a younger age or in the presence of other pronounced symptoms, a doctor should be consulted at the clinic. It is necessary to find out what kind of pathology leads to a sharp deterioration in well-being.

After the doctor establishes the probable cause at the initial examination, based on the symptoms described by the patient and the examination, examinations are prescribed [5]:

• CT or MRI is used when a vascular pathology in the brain or the presence of a tumor is suspected.
• An x-ray of the cervical spine reveals osteochondrosis, nerve problems, or vascular occlusion in this part, which leads to insufficient oxygen supply to the brain.
• The audiogram allows you to identify problems that have arisen in the inner ear and directly in the vestibular apparatus.
• Ultrasound, transcranial dopplerography will show the adequacy of the blood supply to the areas of the brain responsible for balance.

If an infection is suspected, tests may be ordered to look for a specific pathogen.

Also, they are additionally sent for consultations with doctors of a narrow profile: ENT, vestibulologist, ophthalmologist.

Treatment

Mild frequent or persistent dizziness and nausea, vomiting, weakness in men aged 30-40 or 50 may have different causes, therefore treatment is always prescribed individually. Even if the symptoms are the same, different patients may have different diseases.

To achieve a stable result, complex therapy is used in the treatment. The scheme consists of several effective methods:

• The use of medications selected not only to get rid of the symptoms, but also to cure the original disease. In some cases, the introduction of drugs must be carried out in a hospital in the form of a dropper.

• Surgery. In cases of the effectiveness of medications, doctors try not to bring the matter to direct operations. But in some cases it is a necessity, without which the patient is threatened with disability or death.[6]

• Physiotherapeutic procedures of various types. They are used after the removal of acute processes, at the stage of subsiding of the disease. EHF, turbotron and other methods are used.

After the course of treatment, the doctor will also advise on prevention methods. Measures to help avoid the recurrence of seizures in the future.

References

Was this article helpful?

You can subscribe to our newsletter and learn a lot of interesting things about the treatment of the disease, scientific achievements and innovative solutions:

Your e-mail

I agree with the privacy policy and the processing of personal data
Please leave this field empty.

We’re sorry!

How can this article be improved?

Please leave this field empty.

For more information, you can check with neurologists on our forum!Go to the Forum

More about VSD More about dizziness

If you have any questions, ask your doctors on our forum!

Go to forum

ADD/VIEW COMMENTS

Gimranov Rinat Fazylzhanovich

Make an appointment with a specialist

×

Attack of dizziness and loss of consciousness

Home

Activities

Treatment and diagnosis

Cardiac arrhythmias

Vertigo and loss of consciousness

Approximately 30-50% of people experience fainting or blackout at some stage life. Fainting occurs for a variety of reasons, but the immediate common cause is usually a sudden drop in blood pressure, which in turn leads to a short-term reduction in blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain.
Usually, but not always, a person immediately before losing consciousness feels lightheaded or dizzy, and may also complain of darkening in the eyes, ringing in the ears. In addition, there may be nausea, vomiting, sweating, and a fast or slow heartbeat.
Syncope among patients of various ages is so common that many patients do not immediately perceive it as a serious threat to life, and may seek professional help only after a series of syncope, which is a mistake.
The most common type of fainting occurs due to improper reflex interaction between the cardiovascular and nervous systems, as a result of which the cardiovascular system chooses an inadequate heart rate and degree of relaxation of the body’s blood vessels.
In addition to the so-called functional or “reflex” forms of syncope, patients may also lose consciousness due to organic heart disease: excessively fast or slow heartbeat, dysfunction of the heart muscle or heart valves, as well as diseases of the nervous system and overdose of drugs that lower blood pressure.
Differential diagnosis usually requires an electrocardiogram or “EKG”, as well as an ultrasound scan of the heart or “echocardiogram”, and other methods.
A physician may advise patients who complain of recurrent “reflex” syncope to avoid certain situations that lead to syncope (eg, standing on a crowded train in hot weather), wear therapeutic compression stockings, prescribe certain medications, and, in some cases, install pacemaker if such syncope is accompanied by an excessive slowing of the heart rate
Certain non-invasive tests are available to diagnose heart muscle and/or valvular disease, such as 24-hour continuous recording of heart rate and rhythm using ECG (“Holter ECG monitoring”).
In some cases, invasive tests such as coronary angiography (cardiac catheterization) and/or specialized tests of the “electrical system” of the heart, known as “electrophysiological testing or EPS,” may be required.
In patients suffering from organic heart muscle disease, syncope often occurs due to an excessively fast heartbeat. In such a situation, the heart simply does not have time to eject the amount of blood necessary to ensure the normal functioning of the brain, and the doctor may decide to perform special heart surgery to eliminate or cauterize the source of such an arrhythmia (see below).