What is fainting called?

Syncope can follow a reflex response, standing for a long time, sudden pain, heat, dehydration, or a drop in blood pressure. It can also be linked with anaemia, hypoglycaemia, or an abnormal rhythm such as Atrial Fibrillation. A clinician may ask about posture, triggers, palpitations, injuries, and recovery before deciding what tests are useful.

Help the person lie flat and raise their legs if there is no injury that makes this unsafe. Loosen tight clothing, allow fresh air, and check their breathing and response. Do not make them stand quickly or give drinks while they are unconscious. Once awake and steady, offer fluids if swallowing is safe and arrange a review for an unexplained event.

Emergency help is needed for absent or abnormal breathing, failure to wake, chest pain, severe shortness of breath, a serious head injury, new neurological symptoms, or repeated loss of consciousness. Seek urgent advice if fainting happened during exercise or while lying down, or if there was a racing or irregular heartbeat. A first faint deserves medical review.

Ask whether your episode fits syncope, whether blood pressure measurements in different positions are needed, and whether an electrocardiogram or blood tests could identify a cause. Ask what warning symptoms should prompt emergency help if it happens again.