Syncope history and symptoms

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Sahar Memar Montazerin, M.D.[2]

Overview

Syncope itself is a symptom. Patients with syncope may feel balcking out, dizziness, lightheadedness, and temporary loss of consciousness. Patients may experience other symptoms based on the underlying causes of the syncope.

History and Symptoms

Syncope itself is a symptom. Patients with syncope may feel:^[1]^[2]^[3]

Blacking out
Dizziness
Grogginess, feeling unsteady or weak when standing, even falling
Lightheadedness
Temporary loss of consciousness

Patients may experience other symptoms based on the underlying causes of the syncope. The table below demonstrates the important history findings of different type of syncope:


Subtype	History Findings
Syncope due to orthostatic hypotension	Usually after standing up
	In relation to a change in the dosage of antihypertensive drugs
	Standing for a long time especially in a hot, crowded place
	Standing after exertion
	History of peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, Parkinsonism
Cardiovascular syncope	Presence of known structural heart disease
	Occurs during exertion or supine
	A family history of sudden death or channelopathy
	Syncope preceded by palpitation
Neurally-mediated syncope	No known history of heart disease
	Recurrent episodes of syncope
	Syncope associated with nausea and vomiting
	Occurs after sudden, unexpected sight, smell, emotional situation
	Standing for a long time especially in a hot, crowded place
	During or after a meal
	With a change in head position or pressure on the carotid sinus
	After exertion

References

↑ Chen M, Jamnadas-Khoda J, Broadhurst M, Wall M, Grünewald R, Howell SJL; et al. (2019). “Value of witness observations in the differential diagnosis of transient loss of consciousness”. Neurology. 92 (9): e895–e904. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000007017. PMID 30804064.
↑ Wieling, W.; Thijs, R. D.; van Dijk, N.; Wilde, A. A. M.; Benditt, D. G.; van Dijk, J. G. (2009). “Symptoms and signs of syncope: a review of the link between physiology and clinical clues”. Brain. 132 (10): 2630–2642. doi:10.1093/brain/awp179. ISSN 0006-8950.
↑ Alboni, P (2002). “Haemodynamic changes early in prodromal symptoms of vasovagal syncope”. Europace. 4 (3): 333–338. doi:10.1053/eupc.2002.0241. ISSN 1099-5129.

Template:WikiDoc Sources

[pmid30804064-1] Chen M, Jamnadas-Khoda J, Broadhurst M, Wall M, Grünewald R, Howell SJL; et al. (2019). “Value of witness observations in the differential diagnosis of transient loss of consciousness”. Neurology. 92 (9): e895–e904. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000007017. PMID 30804064.

[WielingThijs2009-2] Wieling, W.; Thijs, R. D.; van Dijk, N.; Wilde, A. A. M.; Benditt, D. G.; van Dijk, J. G. (2009). “Symptoms and signs of syncope: a review of the link between physiology and clinical clues”. Brain. 132 (10): 2630–2642. doi:10.1093/brain/awp179. ISSN 0006-8950.

[Alboni2002-3] Alboni, P (2002). “Haemodynamic changes early in prodromal symptoms of vasovagal syncope”. Europace. 4 (3): 333–338. doi:10.1053/eupc.2002.0241. ISSN 1099-5129.

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