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Texas Heart Institute, Texas Heart Institute Journal, 6(41), p. 631-633, 2014

DOI: 10.14503/thij-13-3683

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Exercise-Induced Syncope in a Sedentary Woman

Journal article published in 2014 by Ahmad Ramy Elashery, John W. Rickard, Sammy Zakaria ORCID
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

Vasovagal (neurocardiogenic) syncope, a subtype of reflex syncope, has many well-known triggers. However, we found no previous report of vasovagal exercise-induced syncope in a sedentary person. We present the case of a 35-year-old sedentary woman who experienced vasovagal syncope as she underwent an exercise stress test. Results of evaluations, including resting and stress electrocardiography and echocardiography, were normal. Her presentation is highly unusual: syncope has typically not been associated with exercise except in young athletes, people with structural heart abnormalities, or people with a prolonged QT syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first report of vasovagal syncope associated with exercise in a sedentary patient who had normal cardiac and electrophysiologic function. We suggest possible physiologic mechanisms and diagnostic strategies.