Vaso-Vagal Discussion

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Article 2744

From: Bob

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Symptoms are addressed rather than diagnosis on this forum because tests are required for diagnosis. These tests can only be provided by M.Ds, and not done over the internet.

You are correct that the heart is involved. The vagus nerve triggers the heart rate to slow and the veins and arteries to dilate, lowering blood pressure.

My theory is that athletic people are affected more than sedentary people because they have more highly developed vascular systems. When the veins and arteries dilate (open) the cause a greater drop in blood pressure than in sedentary people, resulting in increased dizzynes and sometimes loss of consciousness.

Your theory is that people with V-V have carotid artery (or some other artery) blockage. If this were true, one would not expect younger people to have this problem, and that the frequency would increase significantly with age. Usually it seems to decrease with age, at least from the early years into mid-adulthood.


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