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We have all heard of people who faint when getting their blood drawn or when they are nervous. In fact, millions of people faint each year—and the most common reason is vasovagal syncope. People with this condition tend to faint, feel nauseous, or become dizzy as a reaction to certain triggers, such as the sight of blood or locking the knees while standing.
We know that symptoms arise upon activation of a person’s vagus nerve in the neck, which helps control their blood pressure and heart rate. When the nerve is triggered, it causes the heart rate to slow and the blood vessels in the body to dilate, pooling the blood in the legs and depriving the brain of the blood it needs to stay alert. Some people have a more sensitive vagus nerve than others and tend to faint more often. The phenomenon occurs most often in teens and young adults, although it can occur in older people. While vasovagal syncope can be mistaken for epilepsy or heart arrhythmia, it’s usually harmless unless a person injures themselves when they fall down due to fainting. It is characterized by a prodrome – a period that usually lasts several seconds to a minute during which a person feels the fainting spell coming on. The person might experience lightheadedness, nausea, a flushed feeling, or that feeling that they “just need to get some air.” More sinister forms of fainting don’t characteristically have this prodrome phenomenon.
Should I See a Doctor for Fainting Spells?
Anyone who is worried about fainting spells should see a doctor. It’s better to get to the root cause, such as underlying conditions or identifiable triggers, to prevent fall injuries and identify significant medical issues.
We particularly recommend seeing a doctor for a first-time fainting spell or for frequently recurring episodes, or if you have a medical condition such as pregnancy, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. Furthermore, people should always be evaluated for an underlying heart condition if they experience fainting or dizziness during sports. An episode of vasovagal syncope doesn’t mean a person is more likely to suffer from serious heart conditions down the road. It’s a one-time event that we must be aware of and manage properly in order to avoid injury.
Vasovagal syncope is not life threatening, but it can be difficult to tell if an episode of fainting is simple and harmless or caused by an underlying problem. After taking initial steps to manage the situation, it’s always best to have a medical evaluation.
What to do If You Might Faint
While fainting can’t always be prevented, there are certain things people can do to decrease the likelihood of it happening. Some of the most effective strategies include:
- Lie down when a dizzy spell is coming on, with the head level with the heart to ensure adequate blood flow to the brain and maintain consciousness. Act immediately, because fainting happens fast! The best position is lying down next to a wall with your legs up on the wall to get blood flowing to the brain quickly.
- Anticipate situations that trigger symptoms and, when able, lie down to do them. For example, if having your blood drawn is a known fainting trigger, make sure you tell the phlebotomist and lie down to have the procedure.
- Keep moving when you have to stand for long periods of time. Frequently flex your knees and shift your weight if you are standing still, such as in a line or at a choir concert, to avoid having blood pool in your lower legs.
- Stay hydrated, which won’t prevent the vagus nerve from responding altogether, but can help the brain be less sensitive to a lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of fainting.
Though it might be a little embarrassing to acknowledge a trigger or lie down in public, it’s preferable to falling and injuring oneself or someone else. Having a reactive vagus nerve is not a testament to one’s character, sensitivity, or toughness. It’s a common, natural body reaction, and taking cautionary steps can promote safety during occasional episodes of fainting or dizziness.
