What is fainting?

Fainting (also called syncope) is when you suddenly lose consciousness or ‘black out’ for a few seconds. People usually recover very quickly and without any lasting effects.

Fainting happens when the blood flow to the brain is reduced.

What causes fainting?

There are many causes of fainting, including:

• tiredness, dehydration, anaemia
• low blood pressure caused by some medicines or health conditions
• orthostatic (postural) hypotension— where your blood pressure drops if you stand up too quickly
• heart attack, stroke or seizure
• low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) caused by some medicines or health conditions
• emotional stress, anxiety, severe pain, exposure to something unpleasant such as blood
• prolonged standing, laughing or coughing, sneezing, straining on the toilet

What are the symptoms of fainting?

Before fainting, it is common to experience some of the following:

• sweating, weakness, dizziness, light-headedness
• shortness of breath
• vision changes, blurred or faded vision, seeing spots or lights
• nausea, vomiting, stomach-ache
• pale face, cool and moist skin
• numbness, tingling
• anxiety, restlessness

When fainting, the person usually falls or slumps over.

When should I see my doctor?

You should see a doctor if you:

• have fainted and do not know the cause
• have recently fainted more than once

You may recover quickly after fainting, but even if you do, it's best to visit your doctor to check the cause. Fainting can be the sign of something simple, or of a more serious a medical condition, like a heart or brain disorder.

When should I call an ambulance?

You should call an ambulance if you or someone near you has fainted and they:

• have severe bleeding or injury
• had irregular heartbeat, chest pains, shortness of breath or palpitations before fainting
• have a severe headache, ongoing blurred vision, slurred speech or feel disoriented
• fainted whilst sitting or lying down, fainted more than once, or took longer than a few minutes to regain consciousness
• have a diagnosed heart condition
• did not feel warning signs beforehand
• are over 60 years old

How is fainting treated?

If you see someone faint and they are unconscious follow DRSABCD:

If they are conscious:

• lay them on their back, raise and support their legs
• loosen tight clothing
• provide fresh air — open a window if possible
• watch their face for signs of recovery
• if they are pregnant, place a pillow under their right bottom to tilt them
• treat any injuries

Do not:

• make them sit with their heads between their legs
• splash their face with water

If you fainted, you should:

• avoid driving or operating machinery until you have discussed your fainting with your doctor
• stay with someone until you feel better

Can fainting be prevented?

If you’re feeling faint or light-headed, here are some things you can do:

• Lie down with your legs raised higher than your head for 10 minutes, or until the feeling passes.
• Drink water.
• Get some fresh air.

You can try to prevent yourself from fainting:

• Change positions slowly, especially when moving from a lying to a standing position.
• When waking up, sit on the edge of your bed for a few minutes before standing.
• If you’re pregnant, avoid lying on your back. Pressure from your growing uterus (womb) on your major blood vessels may make you feel faint.
• Keep a healthy diet. Have regular meals. Drink plenty of water unless you have been advised not to.
• Avoid triggers that cause you to faint.

Resources and Support

• Learn more about fainting first aid at St John Ambulance Australia.
• Read more on how to perform CPR — you can save a life doing CPR.
• Visit HealthyWA for tips on what to do if you feel you may faint.
• You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Are you pregnant and looking for resources on fainting?

• The Royal Women’s Hospital provides advice on common concerns in pregnancy, including fainting.
• Call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available from 7 am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week (including public holidays).