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Autonomic Mediated Neurocardiogenic Syncope GHPI0319!07!17
Autonomic Mediated Neurocardiogenic Syncope GHPI0319!07!17
What is syncope?
Syncope is a faint, or short loss of consciousness, causing
collapse with a natural recovery. Other terms used to describe
syncope include ‘blackout’, or ‘drop attack’. Syncope may be
caused by a number of things such as a drop in blood pressure,
change in heart rhythm, low blood sugar or breathing too
quickly (known as hyperventilation).
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4. Make sure that you drink enough fluid each day. You know
Patient you are drinking enough when you pass clear, pale coloured
Information urine. You can drink 200mls (one glass) of water to quickly
increase your blood pressure, which may be helpful in
stopping you from collapsing 5. If your blood pressure is not
high and our tests show that you are not eating enough salt
we will advise you to eat more.
5. We can easily check by measuring how much sodium (salt)
you pass in a 24 hour urine sample. Your salt intake can be
increased by adding salt at the table, taking salt tablets (slow
sodium) or drinking ‘sport’ drinks. A recent study shows that
between 3g and 7g of sodium each day may be ideal. As a
guide, 5g teaspoonful of salt has 2.3g sodium. Avoid ‘junk’
foods which contain high levels of cholesterol as well as salt.
The benefits of increasing salt intake are noticed within 2 or
3 days. You should not increase your salt intake if you have
high blood pressure
6. Try to sleep with the head of your bed raised slightly. This
helps to reduce the amount of urinary salt that you lose
overnight.
Medication
A range of medications can be used to treat autonomic
mediated syncope. Those most often used include
Fludrocortisone, Midodrine, Bisoprolol and Fluoxetine
(Prozac®). The fact that so many different medications are
used for treatment shows that none of them are a cure on their
own. If one drug does not help then another prescribed drug
may. Sometimes, a mixture of drugs is needed.
Pacemaker
There are times when a patient needs to have a permanent
pacemaker fitted. You will receive further information if a
pacemaker is required
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Contact information
Patient
If you have any questions or queries please do not hesitate to
Information contact:
Syncope Clinic
Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
Tel: 0300 422 5673
Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00pm
Further information
More information can be found on the following website:
Gloucestershire Syncope Clinic
www.syncope.co.uk
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