Fainted randomly, should I worry

[CircusMonkey431]

I passed out briefly on Friday. It was midday, I had had breakfast and a snack, moderate amount of coffee, I wasn't warm (room was on the cold side and i was in a tshirt). I was standing and chatting. I blacked out suddenly with no warning, luckily my DH caught me. I was out for 10 seconds.

I am a little stressed and sleep deprived, but no more than the average mum of a 1 year old.

The only thing i can think of is I generally have low blood pressure, and I drink quite a bit of coffee to make up for it (4-5 espressos a day). Always have. Can that mess up heart rate maybe.

Do I see the GP? I can't see what they would do bar an MRI or whatever they're called which would obvious be overkill.

Definitely not pregnant.

I don’t think the GP will order any further investigations at this point but might be worth a visit

I’d probably just leave it if you feel okay now? I have low bp and have fainted a few times over the years if I bend over, stand up too quickly etc.

I had this before Christmas - also fainted very suddenly, also have naturally low BP, etc. I think I was exhausted and possibly fighting a virus as I was feeling quite dizzy for a couple of weeks around fainting. I had some time off over Christmas/New Year and that seemed to get things back to normal. It might be worth going to see your GP and certainly having your BP tested. At my GP surgery we can just go and help ourselves to the BP machine and send the results to our doctor for review.

I think if it was me I’d get it checked as it’s not normal to faint for no known reason. If it is blood pressure that’s easily answered and if not they can look into it more

Sounds scary OP. Probably a mixture of lots of things but perhaps a chat with your GP just to put your mind at ease.

What are you doing about your low blood pressure?

That would have been scary OP.

-Any other symptoms? Shortness of breath, getting ill often, tired, UTI's?
-When did you last have bloods done to check for anaemia, low Vit D, thyroid issues, diabetes?
-Were you menstruating at the time or do you have heavy periods?
-Do you monitor your blood pressure yourself? Do you have a machine?
-I'd consider cutting the caffeine slowly. That does seem alot, but I have 1-2 coffees a day and can't drink it after 12noon, otherwise I don't sleep.

It might just be a one off, but I'd be considering what else might be going on.

Yes, chat to GP. They'll want to know what you were doing leading up to the episode, the night/day prior too to give them an idea as to the trigger. They might arrange bloods and ECG and get you to record BP. It's probably nothing serious but you should get it checked out. (Good luck getting a GP appt!!)

https://stopfainting.com/

This site has some useful info; have a read through and you may read something that resonates.

It's happened to me, maybe averaging once a year over last 4/5 years and each time, I could pin point a reason...mainly dehydration, stressful times, not eaten etc. Horrible experience mind, even if it's not serious! Kicks off my anxiety no end!

I wasn't bending over, or hot, or anything. I'd had plenty of food, felt energetic, and was standing having a chat. And just collapsed suddenly

Nope not on my period, not ill at all. That's the weird bit. It was the middle of the day, I felt totally fine, was standing chatting about something trivial and just blacked out with no warning.

I've never had bloods taken tbh.

Nothing. I've always been told low blood pressure is fine and I did ask about it once at another appointment and GP just said have some coffee, no issue.

As things have changed, you should make another appointment and ask your GP for some advice.

Yes you see your GP. It’s probably just one of those things BUT it’s also a good idea to log it and check.

My partner has this occasionally and has slightly lower BP - it's normally when he's a little dehydrated.
Maybe think of increasing water / hydration.
Note the date in your diary and if it happens again you might see a pattern or at least be able speak to GP with timeframe of events x

Drinking coffee won't increase your blood pressure (other than maybe very briefly). I think it's more likely to lower it overall.

You'd be better with sports type drinks, that include some salts + fluid.

Probably best to get checked if the fainting is new.

You can walk into your nearest pharmacy and have your blood pressure checked. Most GP practices have a machine that measures BP and BMI in the waiting room.

Have you lost any weight recently?
I have and this was pinpointed by my GP as the cause to my (very, VERY similar) random faint.

The NHS guidance is to see a GP if you have fainted.

So that's what you should do.

It is likely just one of those things, but probably best to follow NHS guidance.

When I was younger, I fainted occasionally. My doctor husband never once suggested I should see a GP, and I was always fine. So no need to overreact, I'd say.....these things do happen now and then.

Definitely get it checked out. I think they would take it seriously.

This.