What should you know about fainting in medical terms?

Syncope usually starts quickly, lasts briefly, and is followed by spontaneous recovery. Before it happens, a person may feel warm, dizzy, nauseated, sweaty, or notice narrowing vision. A reflex response, a fall in blood pressure on standing, or a heart rhythm problem can reduce blood flow. Dehydration, anaemia, low blood sugar, and atrial fibrillation may be relevant in some people. A collapse without loss of consciousness, prolonged confusion, or sustained jerking may point to another problem and needs careful assessment.

Place the person on their back, check breathing, and remove hazards. Do not give anything to eat or drink until they are awake and swallowing normally. Note posture, activity, warning symptoms, skin colour, movements, injuries, and the time to normal awareness. A clinician may review medicines, examine the heart and nervous system, check blood pressure lying and standing, and perform an electrocardiogram or blood tests.

Get emergency help for fainting with chest pain, breathlessness, a racing or irregular heartbeat, severe injury, abnormal breathing, persistent confusion, or new weakness or speech difficulty. Prompt assessment is also needed when fainting occurs during exertion, while lying down, repeatedly, or without warning. Until assessed, avoid driving, heights, and swimming alone.

Does this episode meet the definition of syncope? Which features make a heart rhythm cause more concerning? Should I change any medicine, drink more fluids, or have an electrocardiogram and blood tests?