Paediatric Cardiologist in Mumbai

1. Understanding Various Types of Syncope Syncope is the medical term for what you call fainting or passing out in the day to day life. It is the result of a sudden decrease in the blood supply to the brain which is triggered by an underlying condition. Syncope is not an ailment or disease but rather an indication of some other disease that can lead to a temporary drop in blood pressure and heart rate. The episode may last for only a few seconds and you might gain consciousness right away. This might be accompanied by fatigue and confusion. The underlying cause can be determined with proper evaluation and assessment. Treatment for syncope is offered at all the leading heart treatment hospitals in Mumbai. The condition is quite common affecting 3 per cent of the male population and 3.5 per cent of the female population. If we talk about elderlies above 75 years of age, syncope may be experienced by 6 per cent of the population. It is important to understand that syncope may be experienced by people of any age group and the person does not necessarily need to have any underlying ailment. Sometimes, it may happen due to stress or exertion. Various types of Syncope Depending upon what triggers the episode, syncope can be classified into various different types: • Vasovagal syncope– Also referred to as cardio-neurogenic syncope, it is the most common type of syncope triggered by an abrupt loss of blood circulation to the brain which leads to a drop in blood pressure. As you stand up, the blood in your body tends to settle down in the lower part of the body, below the diaphragm, under the influence of gravity. In such a situation, the autonomic nervous system (ANS) helps to stabilize your blood pressure. However, as per the leading cardiac surgeons in Mumbai, the blood vessels of some people

2. might not get smaller as they stand, causing the blood to accumulate in the lower limbs. This is referred to as orthostatic hypotension and is the reason behind vasovagal syncope. • Situational syncope – It is a type of vasovagal syncope, triggered only by certain situations which directly or indirectly impact the nervous system. These include: ➢Dehydration ➢Emotional stress and anxiety ➢Fear ➢Pain ➢Hunger ➢Use of recreational drugs ➢Hyperventilation ➢Carotid sinus hypersensitivity • Urinating • Postural syncope –Commonly referred to aspostural hypotension, it is triggered by a sudden change in your position or posture. For instance, if you quickly stand up after lying down for some time. It may be a side effect of some medication that you have been taking. In some cases, it may also be triggered by dehydration. There is a sudden change in blood pressure that makes it fall below 20mmHg and 10 mmHg in case you are standing. • Cardiac syncope– The condition is triggered by the loss of blood supply to the brain owing to an underlying cardiovascular condition like arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm), congenital malformation, myocardial ischemia, stenosis, clotting and heart failure. Cardiac syncope calls for the need for proper medical attention as it might be an indication of some serious heart issue. • Neurologic syncope –As the name suggests,neurologic syncope is triggered by neurological conditions like seizure, stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). In rare cases, it may also be a result of some less common conditions like migraine and normal pressure hydrocephalus • Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) –It is triggered when a person experiences tachycardia when he/she stands up after sleeping or standing. The heartbeat of the person may increase up to 30 beats per minute or even more, and that too within 10 minutes of standing up. The incidence of POTS is higher amongst the female population.