Cardiovascular Center

Faint & Fall - Have You Experienced a Faint or Fall?

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Elderly couple and doctor Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness, usually leading to a fall. Sometimes referred to as a dizzy spell, blacking out, or passing out, fainting is a common problem that may cause anxiety, injury, or the need for medical treatment. Fainting is also the sixth leading cause of hospitalization for people older than 65 years.

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Falls are common, too, especially among older adults. Sometimes a fall is actually a faint in disguise because you don’t even remember losing consciousness, particularly in the absence of witnesses.

Both faints and falls can cause significant injury, disability, or worse. Fainting causes approximately 10% of falls in older adults. People who have a history of falling are likely to fall again in the next year, and falls account for two-thirds of deaths from unintentional injuries. So, if you’ve experienced a faint or fall, it’s important for you to seek medical attention.