Vaso-Vagal Discussion

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Episodes during exercise and sex

From: Greg
Date: 11/1/00
Time: 6:09:59 PM
Remote Name: 206.175.97.19

Comments

I have had two recent experiences. The first time was during a weight-training workout. My heart rate and respiration were high, because I had been exercising fairly hard. I finished a set and was drinking some water. I felt dizzy and a little nauseous, so I sat down. The feeling continued, so I tried to relax, and I started to take slow, controlled breaths. I felt my heart rate drop to fraction of what it was, and I started to get tunnel vision. I didn't know what was happening to me, but I was more concerned with trying to stay awake than I was afraid. I passed out, and my wife called 911. The medics checked me out and said that I had fainted.

The second was during sex. I didn't quite pass out, but I felt dizzy and I felt my heart rate drop significantly.

I am 40 years old, and this has never happened to me before. I went to my doctor, and he said it was a Veso-Vagal episode. He sent me for an ECG, which came back normal. My blood pressure and rate are normal. He scheduled me for a stress test, and told me not to exercise. Based on what I am reading in this forum, I'm wondering if I should have been sent for a tilt test as well, or instead? Have any of you been told to stop exercising? I have asthma, so I take Beta2 blockers. Are these the same as the Beta blockers people are talking about in this forum?


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