Going home after your visit
After a faint — advice for adults
How to lower the chance of fainting again, and when to seek help.
You fainted — a brief blackout caused by a temporary drop in blood flow to the brain. Most faints are harmless. We have checked you and it is safe to go home. Here is how to avoid another one, and when to seek help.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Come back to A&E — or call 999 — if any of these apply
These can point to a heart or brain cause that needs checking.
- You fainted with chest pain, or a thumping or fluttering heart
- You fainted with no warning, during exercise, or while lying down
- You do not wake up properly, or you stay confused, weak, or slurred
- You shook or jerked, as if having a fit
- You have heart disease, or a family history of sudden death
- You hurt yourself badly, or you keep fainting again and again
CALL 999 call 999 if someone collapses and will not wake up within a minute.
Avoiding another faint
- Drink plenty of fluids through the day, and do not skip meals.
- Stand up slowly, especially after lying down or sitting.
- If you feel one coming on — light-headed, hot, sweaty, vision greying — sit or lie down and raise your legs.
- Avoid standing still for long periods.
- Tense your leg and buttock muscles, or cross your legs, if you feel faint.
What is normal
After a simple faint, for a short while you may feel:
A bit shakyTiredPaleMildly bruised if you fell
This should settle quickly with rest and fluids. Tell your GP that you fainted, so they can look into it.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above