What should you know about stress induced fainting?

Fear, pain or distress may briefly lower blood pressure and slow the pulse, reducing blood flow to the brain. Warning signs can include warmth, nausea, sweating, blurred vision or light-headedness. Other explanations include dehydration, low blood sugar, anaemia and abnormal heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation. Fainting while sitting or exercising, injury during a fall, or no warning at all makes assessment especially important.

Lie flat and raise your legs when you notice warning symptoms; turn onto your side if you are vomiting. Move away from heat, loosen tight clothing and take small sips of fluid once fully alert. Do not drive, climb or swim until the cause has been reviewed if you actually lost consciousness. Write down what happened before, during and after the event, including food, fluids, medicines, palpitations and recovery.

Call emergency services for chest pain, trouble breathing, severe headache, seizure-like movements, confusion that persists, serious injury, fainting during exertion, or a blackout without recovery. Seek prompt medical review after any first faint, repeated episodes, or fainting with palpitations. A clinician may check blood pressure, heart rhythm, hydration and blood tests.

Ask whether the pattern fits a reflex faint, which medicines or illnesses might contribute, and whether heart monitoring or blood tests are needed. Ask when it is safe to drive and how to reduce recurrence.