What Causes Syncope?

Posted on Mon, 20 Oct 2014

Question: I've passed out 2x recently, last Fri. at 11:00 am, fell against my wife so didn't hit the concrete, went to the local clinic , urine, EKG, throat vein check and nothing showed up. I had done this about 5 weeks before at an Office XXXXXXX store--came to and was on my way. Monday 22nd wet to cardiologist, pluse laying, sitting, and standing were very similar. My pacemaker was checked, too, and was OK. I have an ECHO scheduled for tomorrow morning.What's the difference between the ECHO [isn't like an EKG]? Would an EEG be better or also?

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
EKG is much different than and ECHO

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for contact HCM with your medical question.

I am sorry to hear that you have had two episodes of syncope. You had normal tests so far and are scheduled for an ECHO tomorrow. The echocardiogram is a test where sound waves are used to actually visualize your heart looking for valvular abnormalities or other structural problems that may cause your syncope.

An EEG is a test for brain wave patterns and specifically looking for epilepsy. Your symptoms to not indicate that you are having seizures therefore EEG is not indicated.

I recommend you proceed with the echocardiogram and find the cause you your syncope

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj