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Primary Presentations of Syncope in the Older Adult Population

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Primary Presentations of Syncope in the Older Adult Population

The accredited CME learning activity based on this article is offered under the auspices of the CE department of the University of Toronto. Participating physicians are entitled to one (1) MAINPRO-M1 credit by completing this program, found online at www.geriatricsandaging.ca/cme

Kenneth M. Madden, MSc, MD, FRCP(C), Assistant Professor, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.

Syncope is a common presenting complaint in the older adult population. Unfortunately, cognitive issues and the fact that most falls are not witnessed in older adults can make the separation of falling and syncope quite difficult. In fact, about one third of older adults will have amnesia for faints, even if they are cognitively normal. A systemic approach can help separate cardiac from neurocardiovascular causes and avoid future mortality and morbidity.
Key words: syncope, aging, neurocardiovascular instability, Holter monitoring, tilt table testing.

Related Terms: Cardio-Cerebrovascular, aging, Holter monitoring, neurocardiovascular instability, syncope, tilt table testing