syncope

life-threatening conditions
1. cardiac syncope
2. blood loss
3. pulmonary embolism
4. subarachnoid hemorrhage

common
1. vasovagal syncope: most patients have prodromes, including dizziness or lightheadedness, a sense of warmth, pallor, nausea/vomiting, abdominal pain, and diaphoresis
2. orthostatic hypotension
3. medication

rare:
1. neurological syncope: TIA, SAH, complex migraine syndrome
2. psychiatric syncope
3. metabolic: hypoxia, hypoglycemia

associated symptoms:
1. chest pain, palpitation, dyspnea, headache
2. prodromes: sense of warmth, nausea, vomiting, and disphoresis

study:
ECG, Lab, one touch

high risk patients
1. low BP
2. abnormal EKG
3. structural heart disease
4. dyspnea
5. low Hb
6. older age
7. family history of cardiac syncope