Orthostatic syncope treatment: what to know

Orthostatic syncope is fainting after moving upright, often because blood pressure falls and the brain briefly receives less blood flow. A clinician may review medicines, fluid intake, meals, recent illness, heart symptoms, and what happened before and after the episode. They may check blood pressure and pulse while you are lying down and standing. Anaemia, dehydration, low blood sugar, and heart rhythm problems can contribute and may need separate assessment.

Rise in stages: sit at the edge of the bed, move your ankles, then stand while holding a stable surface. Drink fluids as advised, avoid long periods of standing, and sit or lie down as soon as warning symptoms begin. Do not change prescribed medicines or increase salt without medical guidance. Keep a record of timing, posture, food and drink, medicines, palpitations, and injuries.

Arrange medical review after any unexplained faint, especially if episodes recur or you have an injury. Seek urgent help for fainting during exercise, chest pain, severe breathlessness, a sustained racing or irregular heartbeat, seizure-like movements, serious injury, confusion, or failure to recover promptly. Emergency assessment is also needed when fainting occurs with signs of stroke or severe bleeding.

Ask what may have caused the blood-pressure drop, whether any medicine needs review, how much fluid is suitable for you, and whether heart testing or blood tests are needed. Ask how to respond to warning symptoms and which activities should wait until the cause is clearer.