Feeling Like I May Faint - Heart Disorders Message Board

willsmommy · 11-07-2004, 03:17 PM

Hi, for the past few years I get sudden onset feelings that I am about to faint. It happens with no warning and make me feel very woozy and that I am about to pass out. I have never actually lost consiousness. But I always kneel down or get down to the ground right away and it passes within a minute maybe two. I feel just fine afterwards. I have seen a cardiologist a while back and he did not seem concerned, I do have an arythmia (basically runs of PVC's - 10,000 a day) this was brought on through pregnancy but settled down after the baby was born. The cardio guy was not worried and said the meds to stop it were worse than the symptoms. Any ways once I knew the PVC's were not a problem they dont worry me. I also explained the faint feelings to him and said that all he could offer was a tilt test but said that really what I described was again not life threatening and best ignored. Well I cope well with the symptoms, they come say once a month maybe a little less frequently. But what I wonder is WHAT is making me feel this way? even my GP has no answer. I also have a vestibular disorder that makes me feel dizzy occasionally but its a very different type of dizzyness - like false motion - so I know its not connected to that. The reason I ask if you have any thoughts is that last night it was my little sons birthday and I decided to blow up some balloons. Hey presto I induced the exact same feeling that I was going to faint, again I leant forward and it stopped. Any thoughts?? Thanks

FrontierDriver2 · 11-07-2004, 06:08 PM

Wow, you have just described every one of my symptoms. When you were blowing up the balloon, it's likely that you were just hyperventilating. Hyperventilating will give you the exact same feeling of being lightheaded and ready to pass out.

I used to feel very faint just like you at seemingly random times. It happened most often when driving, after eating, and in church. It would seem like I was ready to float away and everything became all fuzzy and dark. I came so close to passing out several times but never actually did. It is very very scary and makes you feel bad for a while. I went to the doctor and my blood pressure was slightly high (150/90). He perscribed Altace, and since ive been taking that I havent had anymore "spells" where ive nearly passed out. I have also learned the warning signs of fainting and I rest as soon as I feel anything weird. Laying down or leaning forward helps alot.

Also I have the dizziness that you are describing. It's really been bothering me for the past couple of weeks. Sometimes my head feels "off balance" and things I am looking at start to move a little but never spin in circles.

I occasionally have PVC's if I eat certain things like bananas. The PVC's dont cause the feeling of almost fainting. An abnormal heart rhythm could cause feelings of almost fainting and dizziness. My doctor has never found an arrythmia when I've had EKG's. Im just not sure what the cause could be but I would give anything to know! This has really taken a toll on me. I have been afraid to drive much because I was afraid I might really pass out. I have an appointment with a cardiologist on Thursday and hope to find out something then.

Good Luck!