Vasovagal Response

swpa19 · 08-01-2013, 05:28

Had a strange experience in the wee hours of the morn yesterday. Profuse sweating, weakness, light headedness and a BP of 88/30.

Doc diagnosed it as Vasovagal response. Gave me an in depth explanation of what it was, but didn't elaborate on type of treatment. Interweb hasn't done much better at explaining, except for the "face is pale raise the tail" application.

Till yesterday, hadn't ever heard of Vasovagal.???

Beef · 08-01-2013, 07:52

Without getting into a bunch of parasympathetic vs. sympathetic nervous system stuff, the vasovagal response is also why some people black out when they receive injections and why your heart rate slows down when you push hard to have a bowel movement. Frequently the symptoms that you described are more of an orthostatic hypotension thing , which leads to vasovagal symptoms. This frequently occurs when you get up too quickly in the morning or middle of the night. This is due to the fact that you have some slightly reduced blood volume due to being slightly dehydrated and your blood vessels are relaxed and dilated. If you stand up without first sitting on the bedside for a few seconds to allow your blood volume to stabilize, then all your blood rushes to your legs. This is made worse if you take diuretics like lasix or beta blockers. The treatment: get up more gradually, sit up in bed, hang your legs over the side for a few seconds, then slowly stand up. Orthostatic hypotension is the cause of a lot of falls that lead to fractures in older people. So take it easy, Grandpaw!

swatsurgeon · 08-01-2013, 11:36

First need to be sure the diagnosis is correct....what were you doing (specifically) when it occured, what meds are you on, do you smoke, drink, etc. Did you rapidly stand from a laying position, had you recently exercised, coughed or choked, were you stressed or calm just before, do you have a hx of heart dz......a lot of factors go into making that diagnosis and you don't want to believe its that if it could be something else....not meant to scare you just educate you.

swpa19 · 08-01-2013, 12:38

Appreciate all the advice.

Oh and BEEF:

Quote:

So take it easy, Grandpaw!

I am a grand-father a few times over. And Ive learned that young men plan just what their accomplishments in life will be. A lot of us old men have already accomplished them. In other words you didn't write the book, your just turnin the pages. I do especially appreciate your answer though.

SFA# A397L