Fainting (cont.)
Heart structural conditions
Structural problems with the heart can cause fainting or syncope, either because there is
a problem with the ability of the heart to adequately pump blood or because of
valve problems. When the heart muscle becomes damaged or inflamed it may not
have the ability to pump blood to meet the body's needs. Examples include a
heart attack (myocardial infarction) or cardiomyopathy, in which the heart
muscle weakens.
Heart valve conditions
Abnormalities with the heart valves can also cause fainting
or syncope. The valves allow
blood to go in the proper direction when the heart pumps. Valve diseases may
include abnormal narrowing (stenosis) or leakage (insufficiency). Either
situation can cause issues with maintaining adequate blood flow to the body.
Sudden cardiac death
In young people, especially athletes, fainting or syncope can occur because of abnormal
thickening of parts of the heart muscle (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy). This may
obstruct blood when it tries to leave the heart, especially when the heart is
asked to beat harder during exercise.
Sudden death in athletes may be
foreshadowed by episodes of syncope.
Postural hypotension
Loss of intravascular fluid, that is the blood and water within the blood
vessels, can also cause fainting or syncope. Usually, fainting will occur when a person
stands quickly and there isn't enough time for the body to compensate by making
the heart beat quicker, or having the blood vessels constrict to maintain the
body's blood pressure and blood flow to the brain. This is referred to as
postural hypotension.
Next: Vasovagal syncope »
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