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What Causes A Brief Loss Of Consciousness, Weakness And Excessive Sweating?
Question: I get faint feelings but never pass out. It makes me sweat weak and tired. I've had cat scan MRI and a cardiologist. Now I'm wearing a SEEQ monitor but can't seem to get answers.
Brief Answer:
Probably not a heart defect
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern. Thank you for your question.
The first thing that you cardiologist thought (reasonably) was that these episodes are coming from a defect in the heart electrical or conduction systems. Well, if it would be so, during the episodes of near-fainting, such a defect would be depicted already, by your heart rhythm monitor. Probably, this is the case, that you do not have any abnormalities from these systems of the heart. I would assume so, also based on your age, because these systems of the heart, with highest probability, are more common to have defects after they are replaced gradually with scar tissue, which happens after the age of 70.
However, since your symptoms are real, I would recommend you some other tests. Since the computed tomography and the magnetic resonance imaging came back normal, I would recommend:
- an echo cardiogram - to assess the function of the heart valves, since stenosis in one valve may produce these symptoms
- a complete biochemical panel - since dysregulation in function of some organs may produce these symptoms
- an echo Doppler of the carotid or neck arteries, to see if there are any blockages that may cause lower supply of oxygen to the brain, to produce these symptoms.
If these additional tests come back normal, then we can conclude, with highest probability, that these are symptoms with psychogenic origin.
I hope my answer is helpful. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Probably not a heart defect
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. I understand your concern. Thank you for your question.
The first thing that you cardiologist thought (reasonably) was that these episodes are coming from a defect in the heart electrical or conduction systems. Well, if it would be so, during the episodes of near-fainting, such a defect would be depicted already, by your heart rhythm monitor. Probably, this is the case, that you do not have any abnormalities from these systems of the heart. I would assume so, also based on your age, because these systems of the heart, with highest probability, are more common to have defects after they are replaced gradually with scar tissue, which happens after the age of 70.
However, since your symptoms are real, I would recommend you some other tests. Since the computed tomography and the magnetic resonance imaging came back normal, I would recommend:
- an echo cardiogram - to assess the function of the heart valves, since stenosis in one valve may produce these symptoms
- a complete biochemical panel - since dysregulation in function of some organs may produce these symptoms
- an echo Doppler of the carotid or neck arteries, to see if there are any blockages that may cause lower supply of oxygen to the brain, to produce these symptoms.
If these additional tests come back normal, then we can conclude, with highest probability, that these are symptoms with psychogenic origin.
I hope my answer is helpful. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions.
Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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