What happens if you pass out alone

Fainting is pretty common in teens. The good news is that most of the time it's not a sign of something serious. Fainting is a temporary loss of consciousness. It happens when there isn't enough blood going to the brain because of a drop in blood pressure.

Blood pressure can drop from dehydration , a quick change in position, standing or sitting still for a long period, or a sudden fear of something such as the sight of blood. Physical triggers. Getting too hot or being in a crowded, poorly ventilated setting are common causes of fainting. Sometimes just standing for a very long time or getting up too fast after sitting or lying down can cause someone to faint. Emotional stress. Emotions like fright, pain, anxiety , or shock can cause blood pressure to drop.

This is the reason why people faint when something frightens or horrifies them, like the sight of blood. A person who is hyperventilating is taking fast breaths. Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center.

Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. People over age 60 are more likely to faint for heart-related reasons than those who are younger.

Once the dose is adjusted, you should stop passing out. Of much greater concern is fainting caused by episodes of a slow or fast rate. Sections Basics In-Depth. Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Fainting. American College of Emergency Physicians.

Accessed Oct. The Merck Manual Professional Edition. American Red Cross. See also Feeling faint? You could have sworn you were standing up just a few seconds ago. What just happened? It starts coming back to you slowly. Recent studies have shown that nearly one-third to half of the population within the United States has fainted at least once in their lifetime. So clearly, you are not alone. But what should you do from here? Richard Weiss , cardiologist at Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, weighs in on this common occurrence.