Symptom 13: Loss of Consciousness: The Fainting Warning
Syncope, more commonly known as fainting or passing out, is a symptom that shouldn’t be overlooked in the context of a potential heart attack. It refers to a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness, often accompanied by a loss of postural tone (going limp or collapsing).
The mechanism behind syncope is relatively straightforward. It typically occurs due to a temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain. During a heart attack, if the blood supply is interrupted, it can result in a drop in blood pressure. If this drop is significant, it might lead to a temporary decrease in blood supply to the brain, causing syncope.
Fainting can be quite disconcerting, whether it happens to you or someone around you. It’s a dramatic event, often resulting in the person collapsing. While there are many benign reasons for syncope, such as dehydration or standing up too quickly, in the context of a heart attack, it’s a red flag. (13)
