Vasovagal syncope

Vasovagal syncope

overview

Vasovagal syncope (vay-zoh-VAY-gul SING-kuh-pee) occurs when you faint because your body overreacts to certain triggers, such as the sight of blood or extreme emotional distress. It can also be called neurocardiogenic syncope.

The vasovagal syncope trigger causes your heart rate and blood pressure to suddenly drop. This leads to reduced blood flow to your brain, causing you to temporarily lose consciousness.

Vasovagal syncope is usually harmless and does not require treatment. But it's possible to injure yourself during vasovagal syncope. Your doctor may recommend tests to rule out more serious causes of fainting, such as heart disease.

Symptoms

Before you faint due to vasovagal syncope, you may experience some of the following symptoms:

• Blasse Haut
• Benommenheit
• Tunnelblick – Ihr Sichtfeld verengt sich, sodass Sie nur das sehen, was vor Ihnen liegt
• Brechreiz
• Warm fühlen
• Ein kalter, klammer Schweiß
• Verschwommene Sicht

During a vasovagal syncope episode, bystanders may notice:

• Ruckartige, anormale Bewegungen
• Ein langsamer, schwacher Puls
• Erweiterte Pupillen

Recovery from a vasovagal episode generally begins in less than a minute. However, if you get up too soon after fainting - within about 15 to 30 minutes - you are at risk of fainting again.

When to go to the doctor?

Fainting can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as: B. a heart or brain disorder. You may want to see your doctor after a fainting attack, especially if you have never experienced one before.

Causes

Vasovagal syncope occurs when the part of your nervous system that regulates heart rate and blood pressure stops working in response to a trigger, such as: B. the sight of blood fails.

Your heart rate slows and the blood vessels in your legs widen (dilate). This allows blood to pool in your legs, lowering your blood pressure. Together, the drop in blood pressure and slowed heart rate quickly reduce blood flow to your brain and cause you to pass out.

Sometimes there is no classic vasovagal syncope trigger, but common triggers include:

• Langes Stehen
• Hitzeeinwirkung
• Blut sehen
• Blut abnehmen lassen
• Angst vor Körperverletzung
• Anstrengung, wie zum Beispiel Stuhlgang

prevention

You may not always be able to avoid an episode of vasovagal syncope. If you feel like you're going to faint, lie down and lift your legs. This allows gravity to maintain blood flow to your brain. If you cannot lie down, sit down and put your head between your knees until you feel better.

Sources:

1. Halter JB, et al., Hrsg. Synkope. In: Hazzard’s Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology. 7. Aufl. McGraw-Hügel; 2017. https://accessmedicine.mhmedical.com. Abgerufen am 11. Dezember 2020.
2. Benditt D, et al. Reflexsynkope bei Erwachsenen und Jugendlichen: Klinische Präsentation und diagnostische Bewertung. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Abgerufen am 11. Dezember 2020.
3. Benditt D, et al. Reflexsynkope bei Erwachsenen und Jugendlichen: Behandlung. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Abgerufen am 11. Dezember 2020.
4. Goldman L. et al., Hrsg. Annäherung an den Patienten mit Verdacht auf Arrhythmie. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26. Aufl. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Abgerufen am 11. Dezember 2020.
5. Synkope. Merck Manual Professional-Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/cardiovascular-disorders/symptoms-of-cardiovascular-disorders/syncope?query=syncope#. Abgerufen am 11. Dezember 2020.