JEDDAH — The Saudi Heart Rhythm Society’s ongoing annual Heart Rhythm Week in the Kingdom has chosen to highlight Syncope this year, focusing on creating awareness around symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and its treatment options. The event will culminate on Dec. 21.



Syncope, which is the medical term for fainting, is a brief loss of consciousness caused by a sudden lack of blood supply to the brain. It is a temporary condition that may be associated with a drop in blood pressure, a reduction in heart rate or changes in blood volume. While symptoms vary from patient to patient, some common symptoms of syncope include light-headedness, dizziness or nausea, heart palpitations, warm or sweaty palms, fading of vision or hearing, and feeling week or unsteady when standing.



It is estimated that up to 40 percent of the population will faint at some point in their life due to syncope, and often it is the result of an underlying medical condition that could be related to a person’s heart, nervous system or blood flow to the brain. At times, heart-related causes of fainting, including abnormal heart rhythms can be fatal.



On the occasion of this year’s Saudi Heart Rhythm Week, the President of the Saudi Heart Rhythm Society, Dr. Abdulmohsen Al Musaad said: “Syncope can occur at any age and are the leading cause of death affecting millions of people around the world. At least one in four of us will develop a potentially fatal heart rhythm disorder. Saudi Heart Rhythm Society is calling for anyone experiencing symptoms to refer to his/her physician for examination and treatment.”



Dr. Faisal Al Samadi, King Fahd Medical City Consultant Electrophysiologist, said  “while some causes of syncope are harmless, others may be serious. Heart-related causes, including abnormal heart rhythms can be fatal. You may be at risk if anyone in your family has had an unexplained sudden cardiac death. Also, if you do not have any warning signs before you faint, a sudden and unexpected fall can result in injury."



Several diagnostic tests can be conducted to gather information on syncope, including the use of an insertable cardiac monitor (ICM). An ICM is an implantable device used to monitor heart rhythms for months at a time and can remain in place for up to 3 years. To coincide with SHRW this year, the Medtronic Reveal LINQ ICM System, a small implantable cardiac monitor, has been launched. The device is part of a powerful system that allows physicians to continuously and wirelessly monitor a patient’s heart for up to three years. — SG