Fainting (cont.)
How is fainting (syncope) diagnosed?
As with most medical conditions, the history is the key
in finding out why a patient faints. Since most episodes of syncope do not occur
while the patient is wearing a heart monitor in front of a medical provider, it
is the description of how the patient felt and what bystanders or family members
witnessed that will give clues to the diagnosis.
Physical examination will try to look for signs that will give direction to
the potential diagnosis. Heart monitoring may be done to look for
heart rhythm
disturbances. Blood pressure may be checked both lying and standing to uncover
orthostatic hypotension. Examination of the heart, lung, and neurologic system
may uncover a potential cause if abnormal.
Initial laboratory tests may include an electrocardiogram (EKG) and screening
blood tests like a complete blood count (CBC), electrolytes, glucose,
and kidney
function tests. Thyroid blood
tests may be performed.
Heart rhythm disturbances may be transient and not always evident at time of
the examination. On occasion, a heart monitor (Holter monitor) can be worn as an outpatient
for 24 or 48 hours or for up to 30 days (event monitor). Abnormal
heart rhythms and rates may be uncovered as the potential cause of syncope.
A tilt-table test can be used to uncover orthostatic
hypotension and is usually done on an outpatient basis. The patient is placed at
an angle on a table for 30-45 minutes (every institution has its own protocol)
and blood pressure and pulse rate are measured with the patient in different positions.
Depending upon the suspicions of the health care provider, imaging may be
done of the brain using computerized tomography (CT
scan) or magnetic resonance
imaging (MRI).
Often these tests are normal and a presumptive diagnosis is made of a non
life-threatening event. However, the medical care provider may decide, in
consultation with the patient, whether further testing is required and whether
testing should occur in the hospital or as an outpatient. It may be reasonable in
some cases to take a watchful waiting approach and not proceed with any further
evaluation.
Next: What is the treatment for fainting (syncope)? »
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