Fainting clinic (Syncope)

At the Fainting Clinic we specialize in the quick and efficient investigation of fainting cases, while maximizing resource utilization and striving for prompt diagnoses without unnecessary tests. Located at the Heart Center, our clinic’s staff, enjoys seamless access to all the center's services and experts across multiple disciplines.

Fainting is defined as a sudden loss of consciousness, for a very short time, due to a lack of oxygen reaching the brain. While most cases of fainting are meaningless and do not involve any risk, fainting can also be the first sign of a significant heart issue. Therefore, it's important to clarify the matter.

The most common cause of fainting is neurocardiogenic (vaso-vagal) reflex.  It occurs when external stimuli like fear, pain, or stabbing increase blood pressure or heart rate. This activates receptors on the rear lower wall in the left ventricle of the heart, resulting in a reflex that decreases pulse and dilation of blood vessels, that leads to a decrease in blood pressure and fainting.
The clinic also cares for IDF soldiers who are referred for evaluation of fainting episodes. Since these incidents can occur suddenly and lead to injuries during training or operational activity, a thorough examination is crucial to ensure prompt and effective treatment.

How do you determine the reasons for fainting?

Determining the causes of fainting involves a range of diagnostic tools. These include ECG tests, Holter monitoring, echocardiography, stress tests, challenge tests to assess the ECG response to different medicinal stimuli, an adenosine test, and a tilt test (which involves frequent position changes while monitoring blood pressure and heart rate responses).