aetiology

Last reviewed 07/2023

The causes of syncope include:

  • neurally mediated syncope:
    • vasovagal attack 18%
    • situational syncope 5%
    • carotid-sinus syncope 1%

  • psychiatric disorder:
    • principally panic/anxiety disorder 2%

  • orthostatic syncope 8%

  • drug-induced 3%

  • neurological disease 10%

  • cardiac and vascular syncope:
    • structural heart disease 4%
    • arrhythmia 14%

  • unknown 34%

Reference:

  • 1) Kapoor, WN. (2000). Primary Care: Syncope. N. Engl. J. Med. 343(25), 1856-62.