Senior Health Blackout: Seizure or Something Else? 1/3/2023 | By Howard LeWine, M.D. Question: My husband blacked out at home and has no memory of the blackout or what happened. I found out later and by then he was fine. Did he have a seizure? Answer: A seizure is one possibility. But he should contact his doctor to report the episode. The most common reason for temporarily blacking out is fainting from an overly sensitive response by the nervous system known as reflex syncope. The nervous system tells the heart to slow down and the blood vessels to dilate, which lowers blood pressure and diminishes blood flow to the brain. The most common type, vasovagal syncope, refers to the effects of the vagus nerve (which regulates heart rate and blood pressure, among other things). Most people remember feeling lightheaded before they pass out from reflex syncope. However, people that have a seizure often have no memory of what happened just before and just after the blackout. If he has another episode witnessed by you or someone else, she or he should take notes right away— written or at least mental notes. He should have prompt evaluation, and the doctor will want to know: How he was acting before the actual spell The very first things that you saw Details of what he was doing during the blackout His muscle movements How long the episode lasted How many minutes passed before he was able to communicate with you Most seizures stop on their own within a few minutes. Unless a seizure does not end, the only danger is injury. So if you are there, move your husband to the floor and take away any hard, nearby objects. Do not try to put anything in his mouth. For someone having a first seizure as an adult, the doctor will want to know what medicine the person takes and the doses. Another question will be about anything eaten or swallowed. This should include over-the-counter drugs, herbs and supplements. Doctors perform common tests when an adult is suspected of having a first time seizure. These include: Blood tests to make sure there is no chemical imbalance that could trigger a seizure Urine and blood tests to look for toxic substances An electrocardiogram (EKG) to rule out a heart problem An MRI or CT scan of the head A brain wave test (EEG) Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, please visit www.health.harvard.edu. © 2022 Harvard University. For terms of use, please see https://www.health.harvard.edu/terms-of-use. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. See more health articles like this one: Understanding AFib Read More Howard LeWine, M.D. Howard LeWine, M.D., is an internist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. For additional consumer health information, please visit www.health.harvard.edu.