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What is fainting?

The most likely cause of this sudden drop will either be some change in the blood vessels or the heartbeat itself. Blood vessels continually adjust their width to ensure a constant blood pressure.

For instance, the vessels constrict (tighten) when we stand up to counteract the effects of gravity.

The lack of blood to the brain causes loss of consciousness. Most fainting will pass quickly and won’t be serious. Usually, a fainting episode will only last a few seconds, although it will make the person feel unwell and recovery may take several minutes.

If a person doesn’t recover quickly, always seek urgent medical attention.

The symptoms of a faint include: full recovery after a few minutes

Or a disturbance in the normal heart rhythm. A faint might be telling you something is wrong and further examination is sometimes important.

Similarly, slurred speech, facial droop or weakness in any limbs are signs of a serious problem. A temporary drop in blood pressure can be caused by different factors, including: extreme heat, which pushes blood away from the main circulatory system and into the vessels of the skin other events that a person may find distressing.

If you feel faint, lie down and elevate your feet.

This may prevent a loss of consciousness

Fresh air can also help, especially if you are feeling hot. If it is not possible to lie down, put your head down as low as possible.

If you do faint, remain lying down for 10 minutes

Sit up slowly when you need to get up.

First aid treatment for a person who has fainted includes: Help the person lie down.

A person who has fainted in a chair should be helped to the ground

If the person is unconscious, roll them on their side.

Check they are breathing and that they have a pulse.

If they are not breathing or do not have a pulse, call 911 and begin CPR. If possible, elevate the person’s feet above the height of their head.

If the fainting episode was brought on by heat, remove or loosen clothes, and try to cool the person down by wiping them with a wet cloth or fanning them. Assess the person for any potential injuries if they have fallen. In an emergency, always call 911 for an ambulance if the person has not regained consciousness within a few seconds or recovered in a few minutes.

Hypotension can be caused by a variety of factors including: e or certain heart conditions. Low blood pressure can also be caused by a rare disorder of the adrenal glands called Addison’s disease.

Frequent fainting spells or sensations of light-headedness need to be medically investigated to check for underlying causes. Blood vessels respond to gravity by constricting (tightening). This increases or maintains blood pressure when we stand up from a sitting or lying position.

Means that the blood vessels don’t adjust to a standing position, but instead allow the blood pressure to drop, which can trigger a fainting episode. For this reason, some people, particularly the elderly or those on blood pressure medication, should stand up from sitting or lying in bed slowly.

This helps prevent fainting after sudden changes in position

Causes of orthostatic hypotension include:

  • including extreme heat
  • emotional distress or pain Symptoms of fainting dizziness light-headedness a pale face perspiration heightened anxiety
  • restlessness nausea collapse unconsciousness
  • for a few seconds Occasionally
  • a collapse may be caused by a more serious event such as a stroke If a person complains of breathlessness
  • chest pains Causes of a drop in blood pressure prolonged standing emotional distress severe pain the sight of blood the sight of a hypodermic needle What to do if you feel faint First aid
  • fainting Hypotension
  • fainting Low blood pressure (hypotension) heart disease
  • abnormal heart rhythms some infections dehydration medications for high blood pressur Orthostatic hypotension Orthostatic hypotension nervous system diseases
  • such as neuropathy prolonged bed rest dehydration irregular heartbeat (heart arrhythmia) Where to get help In an emergency
  • always call 911 Your GP (doctor)

Key Points

  • most likely cause of this sudden drop will either be some change in the blood vessels or the heartbeat itself
  • lack of blood to the brain causes loss of consciousness
  • symptoms of a faint include: full recovery after a few minutes
  • faint might be telling you something is wrong and further examination is sometimes important
  • This may prevent a loss of consciousness