Conditions which can be mistaken for vasovagal syncope are panic attacks, hypoglycemia, orthostatic hypotension and even seizures.
Both seizures and vasovagal syncope can cause you to lose consciousness and sometimes even cause convulsive movements, which can make the differentiation from seizures difficult.
Although seizures often have features that are distinct such as tongue biting, auras and even confusion upon regaining of consciousness, which is not often present in vasovagal syncope.
Orthostatic hypotension involves a drop in blood pressure upon standing, which can also result in fainting and dizziness.
Although vasovagal syncope has a more specific trigger, such as prolonged standing, stressful events or even the sight of blood.
Orthostatic hypotension is mainly linked to postural changes.
Hypoglycemia is low blood sugar, which can also result in loss of consciousness, although it's often accompanied by other symptoms like irritability, shakiness and sweating, which are not usually typical in vasovagal syncope.
Panic attacks can also cause hyperventilation, rapid heart rate and dizziness, although they are not often associated with a loss of consciousness, unlike vasovagal syncope.
Vasovagal syncope occurs when your heart rate slows down and your blood vessels wide, which leads to a drop in your blood pressure and also reduced blood flow to your brain.
Vasovagal syncope is hereditary as some people can inherit vasovagal syncope if they have a family history of vasovagal syncope.
The inheritance pattern of vasovagal syncope is often polygenic, which means that multiple genes can contribute to the predisposition to vasovagal syncope.
And some specific genes which have been linked to vasovagal syncope include KCNJ2, HCN1, KCNE1 and SCN5A.
Vasovagal syncope is usually nothing to worry about unless it occurs too often or occurs in situations such as driving or operating machinery or when doing other things that can be risky when you experience fainting as a result of the vasovagal syncope.
Vasovagal syncope itself is not dangerous itself but it can be concerning in situations if it leads to falls or injuries or occurs when driving.
Most people with infrequent episodes of vasovagal syncope can manage the vasovagal syncope with self care and some lifestyle adjustments.
If you experience the vasovagal syncope too frequently, you should talk to your doctor about it to rule out any possible underlying medical conditions.
And if you have any severe symptoms with the vasovagal syncope such as chest pain, shortness of breath or irregular heartbeat before or after fainting you should seek immediate medical attention.
And if you have any injuries from from falls when you faint you should seek medical attention.
If you faint from the vasovagal syncope such as when driving or operating machinery or doing other dangerous tasks, it could result in serious harm or even death.
If you have any new or worsening symptoms with vasovagal syncope you should let your doctor know.
If you only faint occasionally and you can identify the triggers for the fainting, such as standing for long periods or seeing blood, you can also often manage it with self care, like laying down with your legs elevated and keeping hydrated.
And if you faint and don't have any injuries and don't have any other symptoms that can be concerning, it's often not a sign of a serious underlying condition.