Fainting Spells, Done Blood Work, Physical Exam, Had High BP
Tue, 6 Sep 2011
Answered on
Fri, 1 Jun 2012
Last reviewed on
I would really like any advice to help with this problem. It disrupts my life greatly and leaves me feeling extremely lethargic and "shaky" for a couple of hours.
For syncope/fainting to occur, either the reticular activating system in the brain needs to lose its blood supply or both hemispheres of the brain need to be deprived of blood, oxygen, or glucose.
Since most of the causes have been ruled out, it can happen due to blockage of arteries supplying blood to the brain especially the carotids or during vasovagal attacks.
In view of the fact that you look pale before the fainting spells that there is a compromised blood supply from the heart to the brain. This can happen due to cholesterol plaque in one of the carotid arteries or due to an abnormal rhthym of the heart.
I will suggest doing an ECHO / Doppler of the heart, a 24 hours holter monitoring to look for any rhythm disturbances in the heart and a color Doppler of the vessels of the neck. If these tests are normal, then it will be quite reassuring.
Hope this answers helps you.
Wishing you good health.
Regards
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