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Fainting

When you faint, you briefly lose consciousness because the brain temporarily receives less blood. The cause is often harmless, such as standing for a long time, heat, pain or fright, but sometimes an abnormal heart rhythm or another serious condition is involved. Lay the person safely flat, check their breathing and recovery, and have warning signs assessed immediately.

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  • Fainting is a sudden, brief loss of consciousness because the brain briefly receives too little blood. The person usually goes limp and collapses, then recovers spontaneously when lying flat.
  • The most common form is reflex fainting, for example due to heat, pain, fear, seeing blood or standing still for a long time. Getting up quickly can also cause a temporary fall in blood pressure.
  • A heart problem is a less common cause, but can be dangerous. Fainting during physical exertion, without warning or together with palpitations particularly needs prompt assessment.
  • Make the surroundings safe, lay the person flat and check for normal breathing. Put nothing in their mouth and do not shake them forcefully.
  • Allow a calm recovery. Do not let the person immediately stand, walk, drive, eat or drink before they are fully alert and stable.

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