Fainting / Blackouts
£200
If you have passed out without a clear reason on a number of occasions you may have a heart condition causing this. The commonest reason for someone passing out is a simple faint (also called a vaso-vagal syncope). However other heart conditions can also cause fainting. You may have a heart rate that becomes excessively slow, or excessively fast. Conditions that can cause fainting or blackout are:
Further Information
Conditions which can cause fainting
Vaso-vagal syncope
Another term for a simple faint this is the commonest reason for passing out and occurs due to a sudden drop in heart rate, blood pressure or a combination of the two. Usually there is nothing wrong with your heart but it may be important to rule out a heart problem by having a number of tests for reassurance.
Bradycardia
This is the medical term for a slow pulse and can cause you to pass out. Tablets such as beta-blockers can cause this but other heart conditions can also be responsible. If you do have a number of blackouts due to a persistently slow pulse you may need a pacemaker to treat this.
Arrhythmia
Very rarely heart rhythm problems causing a very rapid heart beat can also cause people to pass out. These conditions only usually occur in patients with pre-existing heart problems.
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