UNEXPLAINED FAINTING
Speak to your GP
Fainting is a common problem and can affect people of all ages.* It does however become more common as we age.* It's important to pay attention to the messages your body is sending, and to discuss these with your doctor.
Up to 35% of the population will have at least one faint during their lifetime”
- Ganzeboom KS, et al. Lifetime cumulative incidence of syncope in the general population: a study of 549 Dutch subjects aged 35-60 years. J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol. 2006;17:1172-1176.
The patient care journey
When you visit your GP, your GP may run a few tests to determine the cause of your fainting episode, these tests could be:
The doctor might enquire about your family history of syncope and a description of your fainting episodes, remember to share:
- A description of your fainting episodes
- The number of fainting episodes you’ve had in the past two years
- What you were doing before you fainted
- Any concerns you have about fainting (e.g. safety, your job, driving)
- Any treatments you are receiving for fainting
- If your family has a history of undiagnosed fainting or sudden cardiac death
- How fainting is affecting your home and work life
Your doctor might perform an ECG which records the electrical activity of your heart. Every patient presenting with an unexplained faint should be given a 12-lead ECG
Your doctor might take your blood work to check for any other underlying conditions that may have caused your fainting episode.
Your doctor might use an ECG to record your heart's electrical activity while you are active, this may be done on a treadmill or stationary bike.
Your doctor might conduct an Echocardiogram test which uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of your heart structure.
Your doctor might measure your heart rate and blood pressure while you are in different positions including lying down, sitting, and standing.
Sometimes you doctor may want to investigate whether your fainting turns are associated with your brain. Tests aimed at investigating your brain or seizures might include an Electroencephalogram (EEG) or brain imaging via an MRI or CT-scan.
Follow these steps to start your journey to treatment
STEP 01
Answer some simple questions about your experience with fainting and how many episodes you have had.
STEP 02
Discuss with your GP
Take the quiz results to your next appointment and discuss your treatment options.
STEP 03
Find a specialist
If your GP recommends further treatment, find a suitable specialist near you.
Unexplained fainting discussion guide
Your questionnaire results
Please use these results to help you talk to your doctor about which treatment options might be appropriate for you.
For more information visit Medtronic.com.au/UnexplainedFainting
Medtronic Australasia Pty
Ltd 2 Alma Road
Macquarie Park. NSW 2113
Australia
Tel: +61 2 9857 9000
Fax: +61 2 9889 5167
Toll Free: 1800 668 670
medtronic.com.au
Ltd 2 Alma Road
Macquarie Park. NSW 2113
Australia
Tel: +61 2 9857 9000
Fax: +61 2 9889 5167
Toll Free: 1800 668 670
medtronic.com.au
Medtronic New Zealand Ltd
Level 3 - Building 5, Central Park Corporate Centre
666 Great South Road
Penrose, Auckland 1051
New Zealand
Fax: +64 9 918 3742
Toll Free: 0800 377 807
medtronic.co.nz
© 2022 Medtronic. All rights reserved. Australia.
Level 3 - Building 5, Central Park Corporate Centre
666 Great South Road
Penrose, Auckland 1051
New Zealand
Fax: +64 9 918 3742
Toll Free: 0800 377 807
medtronic.co.nz
© 2022 Medtronic. All rights reserved. Australia.
Fainting can be worrying, Getting an answer to the cause of your faints is important for ensuring appropriate treatment, avoiding injury and maintaining a normal active life. We have developed a handy discussion guide to help you discuss your symtpoms with your doctor. Download a copy today to take with you to your next GP visit.
Understand your fainting episode and how it may relate to a cardiac cause. Download the patient booklet to better understand why you are fainting.
Have questions about your fainting episode or why you are fainting? Visit the frequently asked questions site for more information.
Medtronic provides this listing as a service. We have no vested interest in any specific physicians, nor do we provide any recommendation, assurance, or guarantee with respect to their service. This listing may not be a complete list of all physicians who provide this service. Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.
* Michele Brignole, Angel Moya, Frederik J de Lange, Jean-Claude Deharo, Perry M Elliott, Alessandra Fanciulli, Artur Fedorowski, Raffaello Furlan, Rose Anne Kenny, Alfonso Martín, Vincent Probst, Matthew J Reed, Ciara P Rice, Richard Sutton, Andrea Ungar, J Gert van Dijk, 2018 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of syncope, European Heart Journal, Volume 39, Issue 21, 01 June 2018, Pages 1883–1948, https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehy037