title: Syncope in the Older Person.
abstract: Syncope in the older person carries a high morbidity, mortality, and health economic burden. While neurally mediated disorders and orthostatic hypotension account for the majority of syncopal episodes in this age group, around a third of causes are cardiac, predominantly arrhythmic. Clinicians need to be aware of the management of potential comorbid issues such as osteoporosis and cognitive impairment and if not in a position to act on them, ensure that appropriate specialist help is sought. Further work is needed to understand the pathophysiology and hence the management of syncope in the older patient, with ongoing studies helping to tease out some of the treatment controversies.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK.
authors.forename: Iain G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.affiliation: Falls and Syncope Service, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK.
authors.forename: Isabel A E
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Tresham
authors.affiliation: Institute for Ageing and Health, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 5PL, UK; Falls and Syncope Service, Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK. Electronic address: steve.parry@nuth.nhs.uk.
authors.forename: Steve W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Parry
mesh_terms: D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D007024:Hypotension, Orthostatic / Q000150:complications*; D015994:Incidence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D018667:Tilt-Table Test / Q000379:methods*
keywords: Arrhythmia; Falls; Neurally mediated disorders; Older people; Orthostatic hypotension; Syncope