Is fainting a sign of a heart problem?

Is fainting a sign of a heart problem?

If you haven’t heard February is American Heart Month.  We want our community to aware that fainting may be a sign that your heart is in trouble. It is best to get ahead of any potential risks by talking about it with your doctor.

According to guidelines issued by the American College of Cardiology, American Heart Association, and Heart Rhythm Society, people over 60 years old are more likely to faint due to heart-related causes. This could be underlying heart disease or higher doses of blood pressure-lower medications.

A lack of oxygen to the brain caused by a drop in blood pressure will cause someone to lose consciousness and faint. Feeling faint can include dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea or even “blackout”.  Which is what causes the person to fall to the ground.

It is reported that fainting has happened to about 41% of Americans at some point. However, it’s not the occasional fainting that is the cause for concern but when it is repetitive.

This article is not meant to scare anyone but to shine a light on awareness. The guidelines mentioned above state that people who faint should get a physical exam and provide their doctor with detailed medical history.  There may be some tests that follow which may include an electrocardiogram, which is a simple test of your ticker’s electrical activity. Also note that fainting is linked to dehydration, overexertion, extreme emotion (seeing blood or attending a funeral), neurological or psychological to name a few.

Procrastination is not a good method when it comes to heart health. Please go talk to your doctor if you have concerns.  If you don’t have a doctor to talk with, feel free to talk with Premier Family Physicians to schedule an appointment.  You can also learn more about heart health at www.heart.org or at Texas Heart and Vascular.