Symptom 9. Lightheadedness or Fainting: Don’t Brush Off That Dizzy Spell
Feelings of lightheadedness or bouts of fainting might seem minor or unrelated to your heart, but these symptoms should not be taken lightly. Several heart-related conditions can cause lightheadedness or fainting, making it crucial to consider these symptoms in the broader context of your overall health.
One primary reason for lightheadedness or fainting related to heart trouble is a drop in blood pressure. Your heart—acting as the core of your circulatory system—helps regulate your blood pressure. However, changes in heart rhythm (arrhythmia) can cause sudden decreases in blood pressure, leading to feelings of lightheadedness or even causing fainting spells.
In severe cases, certain types of arrhythmia can cause the heart to stop pumping blood to the body for a brief moment, leading to fainting (also known as syncope). This can also occur if the heart’s valves are not functioning correctly, leading to a sudden drop in blood flow.
Conditions like aortic stenosis, where the heart’s aortic valve narrows, restricting blood flow from your heart into your aorta, can also cause fainting. Similarly, a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) can cause fainting, alongside other symptoms like rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath. (9)
