If You've Fainted, Expect These Tests When You Visit Urgent Care

Fainting can be a confusing experience for you and a scary one for those you're with when it happens. Fainting episodes are often brief, and you may feel fine soon after you regain consciousness. While you might feel as though you don't require any medical care, your family members or friends may think otherwise — and decide to take you to an urgent care center such as Alaska Urgent Care LLC. At an urgent care facility, the medical professionals will seek to identify your reason for fainting. They'll ask you several questions but will also run some tests on you to help identify what might be going on. Here are some tests that you can expect.

Blood Pressure Test

The medical professionals at your local urgent care center will test your blood pressure using a cuff that is wrapped around your upper arm. This test doesn't hurt and will only take a minute. You'll notice the cuff tighten briefly, and the monitor to which it's connected will display your blood pressure. Many people worry about high blood pressure, but low blood pressure can often precipitate a fainting episode. If your blood pressure is below where it should be, this is a likely reason for you fainting.

Blood Sugar Test

You can also expect a nurse to administer a blood sugar test soon after you arrive at the urgent care center. This test consists of pricking your index finger with a specialized instrument so that a drop of blood forms and then placing the blood on a test strip to determine its blood sugar. Don't worry about the pricking sensation — this test takes place very quickly, and you'll barely notice the prick. If your blood sugar is low, you can often feel dizzy, and this may be a culprit for your fainting.

Electrocardiogram Test

You'll also go through an electrocardiogram test, which you'll likely hear identified as an "EKG test." This test consists of a number of sensors attached to your torso as a way to measure your heart's rhythm. A whole host of heart-related issues can lead to fainting. For example, if your heart began to beat extremely fast or had an unusual rhythm, you might have fainted. The EKG test will indicate whether your heart is beating at the correct rate for someone of your age. Its readings can also indicate whether you have suffered a heart attack, which is something that you might have worried about after you fainted.

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