Vaso-Vagal Discussion

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vaso-vagal syncope and diet

From: Urmila

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Hello all: Just discovered the site, because, after having lived with VVS for over 40 yrs, but diagnosed LAST WEEK! Always had healthy diet: very low red meat, some chicken, fish, lots of veggies and fruits, plenty of fruit juices, least amount of medication i.e. pain killers like tylenol (acetominephen), Aspirin (salicylic acid) or advil (ibuprofin). Always had problems with high fiber(too many trips to bathroom). VVS episodes always started after eating (didn't matter what): severe pain in the upper abdomen, clammy, cold, sweaty skin, wiped face with icy cloth,dazed look (per my husband), low bp. I always lay down flat (blood rushes to heart, raising bp slowly) BUT I NEVER FAINTED, TILL LAST WEEK, in an upscale chinese restaurant (they don't use msg, which I am allergic to). Half a glass of white wine (which lowers bp initially, then raises it...did you all know that?) and a good meal, started the symptoms just as we were getting ready to leave. Lost consciousness twice in 10 min period(luckily my husband was with me).Had no idea that I was going to faint. After 911 call, ambulance, very low bp and heart rate. All tests later, echocardiogram, CT scan, MRI, blood work, cardiac enzymes etc...all turned out ok and I was discharged with basic advice: It's VVS, don't skip any meal, and keep well hydrated. Here is my two cents worth after doing A LOT OF RESEARCH over the years (for the symptoms and the food chain in our country): If you are otherwise healthy: Don't take any medicines without doing research on side effects, use organic foods only (even though there are no federal guidelines on this, it is better than regular grocery store stuff), drink PLENTY of water, keep red meat consumption to lowest or stop! Read the book "fast food nation" to see the number of antibiotics and hormones given to animals while raising them for food, which end up in our system, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN, PLEASE GO TO SAFER ORGANIC FOODS. Don't eat hot dogs, baloney, salami (because of nitrites and also if you can't identify what you are eating, don't) Basically: use common sense. I feel so much better after reading all these articles posted by sufferers of VVS (they say: some people are just prone to it, and it is true). My whole family (especially sisters and mother) always had low bp and went through these symptoms WITHOUT FAINTING. I thought I knew a lot about medical field (no I am not a doctor, but a research chemist), but VVS was mentioned first time last week. Keep up the good work, folks. Now this is begining to look like a book, and I apologise for that.


This web site is not a substitute for a thorough medical evaluation and diagnosis of your vaso-vagal type symptoms.  Medical treatment and diagnosis is the only acceptable initial response to these serious symptoms since they might present from any number of life threatening and treatable illnesses. It is for you and your physician to rule out more serious illnesses; Please don't use this online forum as an alternative to getting responsible medical attention and being under the care of a physician for the duration of any unknown, suspected or dangerous vaso-vagal syndrome symptoms.
Last changed: June 22, 2007