Over the last 2 weeks, my father have had 5 attacks of blacking out after coughing. These blackouts last for just seconds( 20 secs)
and seem to be increasing in frequency. sometimes vommiting also.
Admitted in hospital for 5 days, doctors did all the testings till ct scan but they did not find anything.
still its the same condition.
I checked you also got that problem?
please help and mail at ***@****, anooprungta at gmail *******
My husband has been having blackouts over the last 2 weeks eveytime he goes into a fit of coughing, his chest has been getting worse and his breathing wouldnt be great but no way can i get him to the doctor, i fear he could have a heart attack with all the coughing would it bring on one hi is 48 years old
The vagus nerve, known as the tenth (of twelve) cranial nerves is sometimes known as the pneumogastric nerve or simply the "wanderer". It meanders about the body. When stimulated it secretes a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. This substance drops the heart rate from twenty to forty beats per minute. Excessive stimulation of this nerve can lead to bradycardia (a low heart rate). Coughing, especially bouts of heavy coughing, activates this nerve.
Some people have a more sensitive vagus nerve than others. This is a genetic trait.
A perfectly normal person with the flu, who coughs heavily, may experience moments where they "black out".
The co-factor is a cause of some concern. A physician would generally like to know why the blood pressure is low? It could be as simple as dehydration or represent a problem with the pacemaker site.
It is due to irritation of a branch of the vagus nerve, which then reduces the heart rate. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the blood or the emphysema. Usually there is a co-factor, which is low blood pressure. The technical term for what took place is a "vasovagal syncopal episode".
It's nothing to be overly concerned about.
You might want to have your blood pressure checked.