What could this be?

[ses282]

I was working last Thursday, hurt my finger and fainted. My HR was 37 right after episode (using a pulseox). I was taken to the hospital and they ran a battery of tests, keeping me overnight. My average RHR was between 46-55. I am very athletic, working out most days of the week for an hour. My stress test was normal, BP was normal, my echo was normal. The doctors deduced the incident to vasovagal episode, although I am not convinced. I have had several injuries and never fainted. The 2 weeks before this incident, I have been feeling very fatigued, pushing through my workouts but with little energy. Also, since being released from the hospital, I have been very lightheaded, still no energy, lethargic, slight headache, and loss of appetite. . Any help would be greatly appreciated. Oh and all my blood work came back positive as well when in hospital.

[anacyde]

Injuries can affect people different ways at different times. The ER is meant to rule out immediate, life-threatening conditions.  A follow-up with your doctor including a discussion of your symptoms would be wise, I think.  S/he may want to run some additional tests to check out more possibilities.  That said, I've been hurt pretty bad and not passed out, but hit the floor right after picking a splinter out of my thumb.  I was sleep-deprived, hadn't had enough to eat, and just drank a cup of coffee prior to it.  My body just had way too much going on.  Sometimes it isn't just the incident, but all of the other factors surrounding it.

Hope you feel better!

[Midijane]

Hi ses282, I'm glad your cardiac work up came back as negative, that should be a huge relief. I have known several people who have passed out directly related to an intense and abrupt painful experiece and were also cleared from a cardiac point of view.

A little diagnostic 101: your blood work would have told your Cardiologist if and when you had cardiac muscle damage. An echocardiogram looks for structural defects within the heart, the hearts basic functioning ability, and if there are any areas of existing heart muscle damage. A stress test will show any areas of ischemia (ie- damage) and exactly where the damage is done. A stress test is usually the golden ticket to a heart catheterization if the stress test is abnormal. Considering your bloodwork, echo and stress test were all negative or normal, I would consider other reasons for not feeling well after your recent vasovagal episode. Could dehydration be a factor, a tick bite, medications, etc... And what if any other factors are involved, like do you feel all of these things all of the time, after exertion, upon waking etc...

I hope this helped a little. I would say to see your primary physician if things keep bothering you, he/she should be helpful at this point. Take good care and best wishes. Midijane