Syncope (patient information)
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Jinhui Wu, MD
Please Join in Editing This Page and Apply to be an Editor-In-Chief for this topic: There can be one or more than one Editor-In-Chief. You may also apply to be an Associate Editor-In-Chief of one of the subtopics below. Please mail us [2] to indicate your interest in serving either as an Editor-In-Chief of the entire topic or as an Associate Editor-In-Chief for a subtopic. Please be sure to attach your CV and or biographical sketch.
What is syncope?
How do I know if I have syncope?
Syncope itself is a symptom. Patients with syncope may feel:
- Temporary loss of consciousness
- Blacking out
- Light-headedness
- Dizziness
- Grogginess, feeling unsteady or weak when standing, even falling
Who is at risk for syncope?
- Cardiac causes
- Arrhythmia, such as ventricular tachycardia, sick sinus syndrome, long Q-T syndrome
- Abnormal constructure in cardiovascular, such as aortic stenosis, aortic dissection, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
- Hypertension
- Brain causes
- Vasovagal syncope: This is the most frequent and benign cause of syncope.
How to know the reason of your syncope?
The goal of the following is to identify the cause of your syncope.
- Lab tests
- Complete blood count, liver function, renal function and serum electrolyte levels
- Cardiac enzymes
- Echocardiography: In patients with known heart disease, echocardiography is needed to check the heart structure ang assess left ventricular function.
- ECG and Holter:
When to seek urgent medical care?
Treatment options
Diseases with similar symptoms
Where to find medical care for syncope?
Directions to Hospitals Treating syncope
Prevention of syncope
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Copyleft Sources
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4749
http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=5612
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/811669-overview
http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/electric/syncope.aspx