Why would you go to a Cardiologist for fainting?

Question

Why not a neurologist? My son (13) has been fainting and the pediatrician is sending him to a cardiologist and not a neurologist

Answer 1

Fainting is not a diagnosis.There are many causes of fainting-one major group is due to blood not getting to the brain.If for example you get up suddenly from bed or a chair and feel lightheaded or dizzy or even faint this is because the blood did not get to the brain therefore no oxygen resulting in faint.

Another group of causes is if the heart beats irregularly-again there are a variety of irregularities.Some of these irregularities are there all the time --and some are transient ,there sometimes not there othertimes when they are there they can result in the blood not getting to the brain causing fainting.

The cardiologist will assess your son for the presence of these irregularities and whether there is a conduction defect which would make him more prone to these.
The tests may be completely normal.It is a matter of excluding causes

Answer 2

Perhaps the doctor was concerned about an arrhythmia or a long QT interval. Is the fainting associated with exertion? Is a murmur present? Is blood pressure normal?

Really, it is a valid question that you should direct to your doctor. The differential diagnosis of fainting is very long and complicated, involving several disciplines.

Answer 3

Because there may be a problem with his heart that may be causing the fainting, blood pressure, low or fast heart beat, oxygenation, etc. If he goes to the cardiologist and he finds that it is not related to his heart, he will probably refer him to another doc to find out the problem.

Answer 4

Your son my have what is called orthostatic hypotension. The cardiologist can rule this out. It is low blood pressure when moving positions especially getting out of bed.

Answer 5

Finding nothing wrong the cardiologist, would probably suggest that next.

Answer 6

Not enough oxygen,blood flow coming from the heart.