Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is It Normal To Hold A Deep Breath And Start
Question: Is it normal to hold a deep breath and start to pass out? I can feel my pulse in my neck and take a deep breath and hold it, after 5 seconds or so, I can’t feel the pulse in my neck anymore
Brief Answer:
It is a physiological effects more pronounced in certain individuals.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on -Ask a Doctor- service!
Regarding your issue of concern, I would like to confirm your physiological connection between the forceful contained deep breathing and fainting.
This situation induces a Valsalva maneuver leading to decreased blood pressure at the level of aorta, which in turn may be reflected as decreased cerebral blood flow.
When this phenomenon is exaggerated, it may lead near fainting and even syncope.
This is more pronounced in some sensitive individuals.
Coming to this point, I recommend avoiding such stressful situations and a better control of your blood pressure values.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
It is a physiological effects more pronounced in certain individuals.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome on -Ask a Doctor- service!
Regarding your issue of concern, I would like to confirm your physiological connection between the forceful contained deep breathing and fainting.
This situation induces a Valsalva maneuver leading to decreased blood pressure at the level of aorta, which in turn may be reflected as decreased cerebral blood flow.
When this phenomenon is exaggerated, it may lead near fainting and even syncope.
This is more pronounced in some sensitive individuals.
Coming to this point, I recommend avoiding such stressful situations and a better control of your blood pressure values.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
