Fainting Summary Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness. If you’re about to faint, you’ll feel dizzy, lightheaded, or nauseous. Your field of vision may “white out” or “black out.” Your skin may be cold and clammy. You lose muscle control at the same time, and may fall down. Fainting usually happens when your blood pressure drops suddenly, causing a decrease in blood flow to your brain. It is more common in older people. Some causes of fainting include Heat or dehydration Emotional distress Standing up too quickly Certain medicines Drop in blood sugar Heart problems When someone faints, make sure that the airway is clear and check for breathing. The person should stay lying down for 10-15 minutes. Most people recover completely. Fainting is usually nothing to worry about, but it can sometimes be a sign of a serious problem. If you faint, it’s important to see your health care provider and find out why it happened. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Find an Expert American Heart Association American Heart Association Heart Rhythm Society Heart Rhythm Society National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Syncope National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Syncope, Vasovagal National Institutes of Health Teenagers Dizziness and Fainting Spells American Academy of Pediatrics Fainting Nemours Foundation Start Here Fainiting (Syncope) Heart Rhythm Society Fainting American Academy of Family Physicians Syncope American Heart Association Syncope National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Syncope (Fainting) (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Array Fainting Children Fainting Nemours Foundation Seniors Fainting (Syncope) AGS Foundation for Health in Aging Specifics Fainting during Urination (Micturition Syncope): What Causes It? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Neurally Mediated Syncope Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network Vasovagal Syncope Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Treatments and Therapies Fainting: First Aid Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Treatment for Syncope Heart Rhythm Society Health Check Tools Faintness DSHI Systems Syncope DSHI Systems Related Issues Frequently Asked Questions on Syncope After Vaccination Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Risk Factors and Causes of Syncope Heart Rhythm Society Genetics Genetics Home Reference: progressive familial heart block National Library of Medicine Diagnosis and Tests Management of Transient Loss of Consciousness: National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence Guideline American College of Physicians Tilt Table Test Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Journal Articles Fainting
