What is syncope?

Syncope (pronounced "sin-ko-pea") is the medical term for fainting. Syncope is a sudden and transient loss of consciousness which has many causes. Ultimately most causes of syncope produce a dramatic fall in blood pressure which leads to fainting. Nearly half of all Americans will experience at least one episode of syncope during their lifetime. Syncope occurs in people of all ages from young children to elderly patients.

A Primer on Syncope provides more information on the basic causes of syncope, on diagnostic tests used to evaluate the a patients with syncope, and on some of the treatments used to prevent syncope.