Blacking out (almost)

[Anonymous]

I have had 3 incidents in the last week where I have almost blacked out. The first one, I was running late and couldn't find parking so I had to run to the meeting I was supposed to be at. The meeting room was very hot and I couldn't cool down...I was sweating excessively and then started seeing stars and had to sit with my head down. (this was more a typical pre-faint feeling)

Other two times occurred on two different days in kickboxing class. As soon as my heart rate climbed, I started seeing black spots and it was as though I couldn't get any oxygen in (even though I was taking deep breaths). Tried to walk it off, get air but nothing helped until I sat on the floor with my head between my knees. Didn't take that long to recover but as soon as my heart rate climbed the same thing kept happening. The second time we were less than 5 minutes into class, doing a jump rope warm up and same thing. I ended up leaving class early. At the gym it was less of a pre-faint feeling (I wasn't woozy or dizzy or light headed) and more of a - I'm about to black out feeling from no oxygen. My heart raced for a few seconds and I couldn't get any air.

I have hypothyroidism but otherwise am healthy. Anyone else have this happen with exertion? Low blood pressure? PVC?

Just not sure why it has only started happening now and why only after my heart rate climbs? Any ideas?

(Not looking for medical advice, more just if others have had similar experiences...if it keeps happening I will go see my doctor).

[Anonymous]

I'd go see my doctor now. It could be a blood pressure problem.

[Anonymous]

That's what panic attacks are like for me.

[Anonymous]

There is also something called POTS that can cause similar symptoms. Had any viruses lately?

Any chance you could be pregnant?

I'd call your doc on Monday, if you actually faint you could be injured or if driving, crash. Since it's new and happening often I'd get checked out.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like it is being triggered by adrenaline...stress, exertion, etc.

Definitely visit your doc. They may want you to have a stress (treadmill) test.

[Anonymous]

OP, 3 attacks like that in a week would have me on the phone to my doc and seeing a cardiologist. You could have some kind of blockage or prestroke condition. Not something to mess around with. I'd also skip the gym until you have seen the docs. Those are pretty dramatic symptoms. You don't want to trigger a heart attack or stroke.

[Anonymous]

If it's not POTS, it could be more urgent, as a PP says.

See doc immediately.

Also, are you on a no/low-meat, low-fat diet? I had similar symptoms when vegetarian that ultimately led to a seizure disorder.

[Anonymous]

Definitely see the doc, could be a heart issue. But it might be low blood sugar, low blood pressure, or hypothyroidism that needs a medication adjustment.

[Anonymous]

OP, if it has happened 3 times in a week not sure what you mean by "if it keeps happening". My sister had similar symptoms and had a blocked artery that required emergency surgery. You need to get checked out, feeling starved for oxygen could be pretty serious or fatal. If you have kids or a spouse it's not fair to be in denial nor to keep going to the gym. Call your doc first thing Mon or call the doc on call or just walk into an ER.

That you keep going to the gym is scary. Take good care of yourself. Obviously, working out or getting overheated is not the answer. GW has a great cardiac center, just walk into the ER and have tests run. If you get overheated driving you could crash and kill people.

[Anonymous]

If you really don't want to go to the ER, call your doctor first thing Monday morning and ask to be seen asap. In the meantime, you should be lounging at home - not doing anything to get your heart rate up or alter your BP too much, including hot showers.

[Anonymous]

I was also thinking some kind of blockage or pre-stroke symptoms. Please see your doc tomorrow morning and report back.

[Anonymous]

What are pre-stroke symptoms? I have seriously never heard of this before. I am <30, though.

[Anonymous]

Atrial fibrillation? Call the doc. I have three family members who had strokes at 35 or younger, btw. Not the blockage kind, but due to aneurism and weak blood vessels.

[Anonymous]

Op here. Just checked back into the thread and am surprised to see that people considering this to be serious. I didn't really think of it being my heart or a stroke - I was thinking more of a low blood pressure / sugar. I haven't had any further episodes but I haven't done any exertion since or gone to the gym. It is one of those things that is hard to go to the doctor about as it won't be happening when I am there and I find they never really take you that seriously if you are not experiencing symptoms at the time of the appointment.

I am 37, in good health, no heart issues that I know of, not overweight, no diabetes...

I will call my doctor in the morning and get an appointment.

[Anonymous]

Keep us posted OP. I think they might want you to do a stress test. Stay well!