Fainting

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The questions will include:

• Is this the first time you have fainted?
• When did you faint? What were you doing before it occurred? For example, were you going to the bathroom, coughing, or standing for a long time?
• How would you describe the dizziness that you felt before fainting? Did you feel light-headed, off-balance, or like the room was spinning?
• Was the faint associated with convulsions (jerking muscle movements), tongue trauma, or loss of control of your bowels?
• When you regained consciousness were you aware of your surroundings or were you confused?
• Did you experience chest pain or heart palpitations before you fainted?
• Does fainting occur when you change positions -- for example, go from lying to standing?

The physical examination will focus on your heart, lungs, and nervous system. Your blood pressure may be measured in several different positions.

Tests that may be performed include:

• ECG
• Holter monitor
• X-ray of the chest
• Echocardiogram
• EEG
• Blood tests for anemia or body chemical imbalances

Review Date: 05/03/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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