Presyncope
Presyncope is a state of lightheadedness,[1] muscular weakness, blurred vision, and feeling faint (as opposed to a syncope, which is actually fainting). Presyncope is most often cardiovascular in cause.[citation needed] In many people, lightheadedness is a symptom of orthostatic hypotension. Orthostatic hypotension occurs when blood pressure drops significantly when the patient stands from a supine (horizontal) or seated position. If loss of consciousness occurs in this situation, it is termed syncope.
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Presyncope is frequently reported in people with autonomic dysfunctions such as the postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).
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Clinical testEdit
The tilt table test is an evaluative clinical test to help identify postural hypotension, a common cause of presyncope or syncope.[2] A tilt angle of 60 and 70 degrees is optimal and maintains a high degree of specificity.[2] A positive sign with the tilt table test must be taken in context of patient history, with consideration of pertinent clinical findings before coming to a conclusion.
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
- ^ Reeves, Alexander G.; Rand S. Swenson. "Chapter 14: Evaluation of the Dizzy Patient". Disorders of the nervous system: a primer. Dartmouth Medical School. Retrieved 2012-01-06.
- ^ a b Natale, A., Akhtar, M., Jazayeri, M., Dhala, A., Blanck, Z., Deshpande, S., et al. (1995). Provocation of Hypotension During Head-Up Tilt Testing in Subjects With No History of Syncope or Presyncop. American Heart Association, (92), 54-58. doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.92.1.54; url: http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/92/1/54.full
