A UK resident named Sarah Hall has shared her experience of recurrent fainting spells during meals, which occurred without medical intervention. Need To Know shared her story.
According to Hall, by the age of 48, she began to experience a peculiar issue: collapsing while eating. “At family dinners, my husband had to sit beside me in case I fainted, and my children would wonder if I’d make it through the meal without passing out,” the British woman explained.
Consequently, she grew fearful of eating and drinking and sought medical attention. After undergoing examinations, doctors determined that her heart could stop up to 12 times a day, remaining still for up to a minute. Ultimately, Hall was diagnosed with cardioinhibitory syncope of deglutition. This is an exceptionally rare condition, with fewer than 150 documented cases globally.
Prior to consulting doctors, Hall had attributed her fainting spells to the approach of menopause, low blood sugar, and demanding work. It was discovered that individuals with cardioinhibitory syncope of deglutition experience an exaggerated response from the vagus nerve when swallowing. Normally, the vagus nerve only slightly slows the heart rate during eating. In Hall’s case, it caused a sudden and drastic reduction in heart rate, potentially leading to cardiac arrest.
In 2024, the woman underwent an experimental treatment and has since stopped fainting. “It feels like everything is back to normal,” she stated.
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