About Baptist Health Heart Institute Syncope Clinic at Arkansas Cardiology

The Syncope Clinic, the first and only in the state, uses a unique, standardized approach to care. Rather than sending the patient to multiple specialists at different locations, most evaluations will be performed at Arkansas Cardiology. As a result, patients benefit from a quicker and better diagnosis.

Syncope (“sin ko pea”) is the brief loss of consciousness and posture caused by a temporary decrease in blood flow to the brain. Syncope may be associated with a sudden fall in blood pressure, a decrease in heart rate or changes in blood flow. Symptoms can include:

• “Blacking out”
• Light-headedness
• Falling for no reason
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Grogginess
• Fainting, especially after a meal or after exercise
• Feeling unsteady or weak when standing

If you’ve had an episode of unexplained fainting or falling, you might be concerned that it could happen again at any moment or could be a sign of a more serious condition. It is important to seek treatment right away after a syncope episode occurs.

With accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, syncope can be resolved in most patients.