What Should I Tell My Doctor?

When you go to see your doctor about your blackout it is helpful to bring along someone who witnessed it. A good history from someone who saw your episode often helps to find the cause.

If you were taken to hospital bring along the discharge papers from the hospital.
           
It is helpful for the doctor to know if :

• you have ever had a blackout before (including fainting in childhood)
• you have had any heart problems before
• you have any heart symptoms eg chest pain or palpitations
• you have a family history of heart conditions
• you have a family history of fainting
• you have a family history of epilepsy
• there is a family history of sudden unexpected death including drowning and motor vehicle accidents.

The doctor will want to know:

• Your current medications including any recent changes
• Any over the counter medications you take
• How much alcohol you drink and any other recreational drugs you may take
• How much fluid you drink

The situation in which the event occurred can be helpful in indicating the cause:

• What were you doing at the time of the blackout?
• Was it a hot day or warm crowded environment?
• Did the episode occur at rest, during or after exercise?
• Were you sitting, lying or standing?
• Had you just changed posture?
• Was the episode soon after a meal?
• Was the episode associated with passing urine, using your bowels or coughing?
• Was the episode associated with head-turning?
• What did you do the day before or earlier in the day before the episode?

Symptoms occurring at other times, leading up to and following the blackout can be helpful:

• Do you feel light-headed at other times?
• Did you have any warning?
• Did you feel sick before or after the episode?
• Were you pale or sweaty before or after the episode?
• Did you have any palpitations before or after the episode?
• If you had seizure like movements how long did they last?
• How long did you take to recover and know where you were?

All of this information can be helpful in indicating if your episode was more likely a simple faint or if it had a more serious cause.