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What Causes Episodes Of Fainting?

Posted on Fri, 13 Feb 2015

Question: Five years ago I started having episodes of fainting after standing for too long, getting my blood drawn, etc. I had lots of tests done to see if there were heart problems but every test came back normal. One doctor said it might be vasovagal syncope, but never followed up. I have been managing it myself by avoiding known triggers, but sometimes there is nothing I can do and I still faint. I am now pregnant and cannot get my midwife to tell me how this will affect my labor. I know that I have serious problems with general anesthesia, and am very concerned about whether or not I should get an epidural. She just keeps saying that this is normal in pregnancy. I am worried because my blood pressure is already on the low side of normal, and when I have these episodes my blood pressure plummets but my heart feels like it is going to pound out of my chest. When I had a routine laparoscopy, they had a very hard time keeping my blood pressure high enough during the procedure and after. I am trying to get an actual OB, but with the military this is sometimes difficult. I would just like some answers while I wait.

Answered by Dr. Srilatha Myaka (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
hypotension is quite common in pregnancy.

Detailed Answer:
Hi there
i can understand your concern.

in my opinion light headedness is quite common during pregnancy.

Pregnancy is an altered metabolic and cardiovascular state

in which there will changes like
1.reduced hemoglobin due to dilution of blood.
2.change in blood circulation to support the growth of baby.
3.shifting of nutrition to uterus.

all these conditions will make pregnant mothers to feel a little bit weak and dizzy.

in case of anemia and for mothers who are not taking proper nutrition this problems will be more severe.

i would like to see your blood reports before proceeding to further discussion
kindly upload your blood and scan reports. You have a feature to upload the reports by yourself on the right side of this query page. Please utilize it.

regards
Dr sree

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Srilatha Myaka (25 minutes later)

I do not have access to my blood reports, they only tell me that everything is normal, no signs of diabetes or anemia. My resting blood pressure is almost always 110/70, which they say is perfect. I have had this problem for more than five years, it is not just because I am pregnant. I was told by the surgeon who did my laparoscopy that I need to be wary of anything that would have an affect on my blood pressure, which is why I am so concerned now.

Answered by Dr. Srilatha Myaka (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
110/70 is a very normal blood pressure.

Detailed Answer:
Hi there
good day

I am very happy to know that you don't have anaemia and your blood pressure 110/70 is a very normal blood pressure.

In my opinion better hydration and taking a pinch of salt with a glass of water will help you when you are feeling dizzy.

In my clinic, I see similar patients, most of them had a very uneventful labour.

During anaesthesia most of patients will have hyoptension. Most of well trained anaesthesia specialist will be well prepared to handle this kind of problem.

This kind of scenarios are quite common for anaesthesia specialist during surgery.

Hypotension is not a absolute contraindication for epidural anaesthesia.

I suggest you to relax and enjoy life

Regards
Dr srilatha

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari