Traveling with a Fainting Condition

Hi, my name is Anna, and I have Neurocardiogenic Syncope (NCS). If you’re reading this and you have this condition too, let’s start a club! If you’re reading this and you’ve never heard of it, let me explain.

In simplest terms, sometimes my heart can’t pump my blood hard enough, and my brain doesn’t get enough blood, so I pass out. Certain things can make it worse, like standing for long periods of time, having blood drawn, or heat. I’ve fainted from all three. (Ooh there’s a fun story about an ambulance being called because I passed out after getting blood taken!) As you can imagine, this makes traveling a bit difficult, especially things like hiking. I love hiking! So how do I do it?

I’m on medication

I used to take fludrocortisone (a steroid) everyday. Now, I only take it in the Spring and Summer, since that is when my syncope is the worst. I see my cardiologist once a year to evaluate my prescription.

I know my body

The first time I passed out I think I was eight or nine, so I know the drill. There are almost always clear warning signs. I’ve never just FAINTED out of nowhere.  It goes like this: I start getting dizzy, then a bit nauseous, then I grey-out (it’s almost like blacking out, but you’re a little more aware), then I black out, then finally, I faint. So, if I feel myself starting to feel light headed, I’ll sit down, no matter where I am. I’ve sat down in the middle of an aisle in a grocery store, I’ve sat down in the mall, I’ve sat down while standing in lines before, I’ve sat down in an elevator. I look stupid in the moment, I’m sure, but it’s better than fainting! When we hiked Ryan Mountain in Joshua Tree, I had to sit down probably ten times on the way up. Bless my very patient partner.

I wear compression leggings

Now, hear me out. Before you say that compression wear is only for your grandma, know that it also helps with circulation. What happens with NCS is, when your blood pressure is dropping, it pools in your arms and legs. You can usually tell when I’m about to pass out, because my hands and legs will turn purple. My doctor prescribed me compression stockings, but stockings are not practical when hiking. So I did my research, and found compression leggings on Amazon! They look exactly like regular workout leggings! Compression leggings make it harder for the blood to pool in my legs, and helps my blood circulate.  I wore them while hiking in CA, and they seemed to work great. Obviously not a cure, but anything that helps, right?

I eat and drink the right things

Functioning with this condition for so long, I’ve learned all the tricks. The best thing you can do for low blood pressure is EAT SALT, since salt raises your blood pressure. To the average person, that is usually a bad thing. Not for me! When hiking, I will always bring some crackers, salted peanuts, and I usually drink a full Gatorade before my hike, and bring one along too. Gatorade has an INSANE amount of sodium in it. I’ve also learned that Gatorade is SO salty, that you can add an entire salt packet (like the ones from McDonalds) to it, and it tastes literally exactly the same. Some people with NCS travel with salt cubes, but I physically cannot bring myself to do that. Yuck.

I avoid doing certain trips alone

I have my condition under enough control that I can now travel alone. But it’s a calculated decision. I would personally never go hiking alone, or anywhere exceptionally hot. Fainting is scary enough, fainting alone in an unfamiliar city is terrifying.

I inform my travel group

Whenever I travel, I give the same rundown to the people around me. “I have a conditioin that causes me to faint sometimes. I usually have warning signs though. It’s difficult for me to speak when I’m in that state though. If I pass out, lay me down flat and put my feet up if you can. Do NOT call am ambulance. I usually will wake up within 30 seconds.”

Maybe you have NCS, or maybe you just have low blood pressure. Either way, I hope these tips help you or someone you know!

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