What causes my fainting?

[nursenancy0502]

I have had several episodes of fainting.  There is no consistency to the triggers.  It has happened while eating dinner, felt nauseated, began sweating (cold), visual disturbance, lightheadedness, got down on the floor and then passed out.  It awakened me at night once - felt nauseated, went to the bathroom, fainted while on the toilet (although not straining).  It happens about every 4-6 months.  Where should I start to have this checked out?

[nana12241956]

maybe u need a pace maker

[COBradyBunch]

I would suggest you talk to your Dr about some sort of monitoring.  I had very similar symptoms except mine didn't have any warning.  Had two episodes in three months and after the 2nd they checked me into the Cardiac Care Unit and found out I was going into bradycardiac episodes where my heart rate would slow and even stop for several seconds.  Happened three times in about less than 36 hours (all while sleeping or falling asleep) while I was being monitored and even though I had no other signs of cardiac disease or risk factors and they had no known reason for the events (checked out all the others such as thyroid, electrolyte imbalances and such) and my heart looked great when it wasn't going brady on ekgs and an echo they told me if I want to be able to drive, ride my bike or basically live my life a pacemaker was needed.  All of this happened since last Saturday.  

Do you have what I have?  I don't know but I figured the more info you have the better.
  

[kenkeith]

The causes of fainting (syncope)  can be grouped into four major categories, neurologic, metabolic, vasomotor and cardiac. and is an extremely common symptom. In most cases people who have syncope recover quickly, and are not at especially high risk once the episode is finished.  However, cardiac syncope can be dangerous and fatal and that issue should be ruled out.

If it is a heart related problem it can be due to obstructive lesions, and/or heart rhythm disturbances.
Obstructive lesions (such as valvular heart disease, obstructed blood vessels, or cardiac tumors) can intermittently block the flow of blood through the heart, causing loss of consciousness. Worst case scenario

Heart rhythm disturbances that produce syncope fall into two broad categories: bradycardia (abnormally slow heart rate) and tachycardia (abnormally fast heart rate) and can be episodic.