Syncope

Can the term "syncope" mean just "faintness and dizziness", or does it always imply complete loss of consciousness? I would be grateful for guidance on this.

After my recent (self-requested) review, I jumped through all the necessary hoops to obtain a copy of my review report from the NHS. I noted in two places that they had recorded my initial symptoms as "syncope", whereas my GP referral letter stated "faintness and SOB on exertion".

Other hospital documents, including my discharge letter, have different versions of these presenting symptoms, e.g. "tired and a little bit dizzy" and "shortness of breath on exertion".

I am wondering if this confusion in my records matters? My chief concern is that, after implantation, I advised the DVLA (UK driver and vehicle registry) that I had not suffered any loss of consciousness prior to implantation. My written medical records do not actually support this statement.

Should I seek to get them corrected? If so, how best to go about it?

Thanks everyone.

6 Comments

I am afraid this is all too familiar

by Gemita - 2024-08-26 07:58:19

Repero, syncope means a loss of consciousness, even if only for a few seconds.  Pre-syncope means that you feel you are going to faint, feel lightheaded or dizzy, but do not actually faint.

I would go back to your cardiologist/EP and ask for the indication for your pacemaker to be confirmed and to make sure that the correct details are recorded on your Pacemaker ID card or sheet of paper which should be kept with you at all times.  On my Pacemaker ID single page document, it states:  Syncope, Tachycardia/bradycardia syndrome (ECG:  Atrial Tachycardia, Flutter, Fibrillation), Aetiology:  Apparently normal heart;  Pacemaker dependent:  No.

To confirm whether syncope has actually occurred (and you should know) you would need to ask for evidence.  If they cannot provide the evidence and you do not recall ever losing consciousness, I would respectfully ask your doctors to correct your records.  I would do this by first writing a letter to both your GP and Cardiologist/EP.  Once this has been done and your records corrected, you would not need to take this further.  

On the other hand, if syncope has been documented, then you would need to update the DVLA and/or advise them that you didn’t knowingly give false information on any medical papers you have submitted.  You should also get a written letter from your treating doctors to confirm that you have not had any Syncope episodes since your pacemaker implant?

My husband has got Prostate Cancer recorded on his medical records at our GP surgery.  That is news to us!  It has been on his records for years apparently without documented evidence of the disease.  We were told by a urologist that most men over the age of 80 will have some evidence of cancer cells in their prostate but that they would likely die from other causes before prostate cancer would cause symptoms.  Not particularly reassuring but we tend not to worry about it any more.  His consultant is keeping a closer eye on his blood test results now which have always been good.

Thanks

by Repero - 2024-08-26 08:09:56

Thanks Gemita.

Sound advice as always. I will draft a letter and copy to both GP and EP.

Not quite sure how to ensure that cardiologist/EP actually get to see it, but I will ferret around for addresses.

Syncope

by Selwyn - 2024-08-26 08:21:26

Is always a loss of conciousness.

Without any warning symptoms the causes are more likely to be asystole/ loss of cardiac output  ( The so called Stoke-Adams Attacks) or epileptic.

Most 'fainting' syncope is preceded by dizziness/light headedness.- this is usually due to a low blood pressure ( many different causes eg. dehydration, cardiac, Addison's Disease to name just a few). 

If you do feel faint, best to lie flat before you develop syncope and 'crash out'. So many good samaritans prop up the unfortunate sufferer thereby worsening the situation.

You cannot alter medical records. You can request that information is added to correct records.  You are right that this is best done in writing.  Loss of conciousness without warning is a serious, sometimes life threatening situation. Gemita has pointed out the DVLA situation... I knew a man who had a heart attack whilst driving on the motor way - he crashed his car and go decapitated in the process. This year there was a fatal bus crash when the driver had a heart attack.

Selwyn

by Repero - 2024-08-26 08:49:45

Thank you Selwyn.

Thankfully, I have never experienced syncope, just concerned to see this term used to describe my pre-implant symptoms in my review report. Do not know who invented this.

Various other confusing terms used in other hospital documents, but this is the main worry. I will try to get a correction added to my file.

Resolved!

by Repero - 2024-08-27 08:16:36

How lucky I am to have such a great Cardiology department in my local hospital! Long may it continue - but worried that it might not!

I sent a detailed email to the Lab, mentioning also that I would be sending the same to my GP and the Consultant. Ten minutes later they rang me to see if I could pop in.

The problem is actually that my details recorded on the PM itself are wrong. They picked the wrong option to describe my presenting symptoms. It is just a simple matter of re-programming that entry on the device. Going in now to have it done. Brilliant.

Excellent news

by Gemita - 2024-08-27 08:26:13

Repero, So simple and such an easy fix and I wouldn’t have expected less from you team!  They have never disappointed, have they?  But it pays not to assume that all is in order without checking these things.

Wow what service!

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Your old device becomes a paper weight for your desk.

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