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. Temporary low blood pressure can be caused by various events that prompt blood vessels to dilate expand , including extreme heat, emotional distress or pain. The lack of blood to the brain causes loss of consciousness. Usually, a fainting episode will only last a few seconds, although it will make the person feel unwell and recovery may take several minutes.
Occasionally, a collapse may be caused by a more serious event such as a stroke or a disturbance in the normal heart rhythm. A faint might be telling you something is wrong and further examination is sometimes important. If a person complains of breathlessness, chest pains or heart palpitations, or if the pulse is faster or slower than expected, the person should see a doctor. Similarly, slurred speech, facial droop or weakness in any limbs are signs of a serious problem.
If possible, lie down and elevate the 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 ten minutes. Sit up slowly when you need to get up. Low blood pressure hypotension is a condition characterised by blood pressure that is lower than normal or usual for the person.
Hypotension can be caused by a variety of factors including heart disease and abnormal heart rhythms, some infections, dehydration and medications for high blood pressure or certain heart conditions. An adult or teen with heat exhaustion should drink cups ml of liquids right away to replace what was lost.
Then the adult or teen should drink approximately 1 cup ml every 15 minutes for the next hours. Child Sick? Call Now Still unconscious after 1 minute has passed Trouble waking up or acting confused Very weak can't stand Chest pain Trouble breathing Lips or face are blue Heart beat is not normal or is very fast Heart beat is very slow less than 60 beats per minute Any bleeding vomiting blood, blood in stool, or vaginal bleeding Black stools Have had heart problems or heart failure You think you have a life-threatening emergency Call Doctor or Seek Care Now You feel weak or very sick You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent.
Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours Fainted and now feel fine you do not need to call if you know it was a "simple faint" You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent Contact Doctor During Office Hours Simple faint has happened more than 2 times You have other questions or concerns. Self Care at Home Simple faint from stress, pain, standing for too long, or standing up too quickly and now feel fine.
If standing, the person falls to the ground. If sitting, the person slumps over. The medical name for fainting is syncope. Simple fainting doesn't occur before age 6.
It is not common before age In older adults, serious causes are much more common. Cause of Simple Fainting: Decreased blood flow to the brain. Risk Factors: mild dehydration, fasting, hot weather, lack of sleep, recent illness, change in altitude. Most fainting is harmless. There is a risk of a head or face injury from sudden falling. Simple Fainting Benign Fainting : Types Standing too long in one place before fainting is the most common type.
The medical name is orthostatic or postural syncope. Happens at church, graduations, weddings or at events when standing a long time.
Echocardiogram echo. This shows the structure of your heart, including the valves. Orthostatic vital signs. This is where your heart rate and blood pressure are measured while you are lying, sitting, and standing.
This is to see whether there is a change related to body position. Tilt table testing. With this test you are strapped to a table while lying flat and then steadily brought to a standing position. Your blood pressure and heart rate are measured often to assess for changes. You may be given medicine to provoke these changes. The overall purpose of the test is to try to reproduce your fainting and assess if it's accompanied by a sudden drop in blood pressure or heart rate.
Ambulatory heart monitor or implantable loop recorder ILR. If your healthcare provider thinks that the cause of your syncope may be related to your heart rhythm, they may have you wear a heart monitor or recommend implanting a loop recorder underneath your skin to monitor your heart rhythm long term. Ask your healthcare provider what you can do to prevent fainting.
For example, your provider may suggest that you:. Get up slowly if you have been sitting or lying down for a long period of time.
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