Journalist Vanessa Medeiros fainted during a live broadcast this Wednesday (2) while reporting outside the São Vicente police station. The episode happened during a reporter’s entry at TV Tribuna, a Rede Globo affiliate on the São Paulo coast.
In the video, the journalist even says that she feels bad, but soon loses strength and falls. She was rescued by the film reporter accompanying her, who managed to stop her from hitting her head as she passed out.
According to a statement released by TV Tribuna, the reporter is fine and has only experienced a depressurization.
Some everyday habits or circumstances can cause blood pressure to drop, as is the case with live reporting, where reporters are often on their feet for long periods, sometimes without eating or drinking enough fluids.
If the episode is on time, there is no need to worry. Fainting can occur due to low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), prolonged fasting, or due to dehydration. Excessive exposure to heat or prolonged stressful situations are also possible causes.
When is it not normal?
In the event of recurring fainting spells, severe dizziness or the same triggering situations over and over again, it is important to see a cardiologist for medical followup care.
People with a family history of heart disease, especially arrhythmias, should pay more attention. Fainting can be an early symptom of problems such as B. electrical disturbances in the heart (requiring the placement of a pacemaker) or vasovagal syndromes (which are less severe but require the patient’s constant attention to lifestyle).
In cardiac arrhythmia, fainting or dizziness is usually accompanied by a feeling of palpitations or racing heart. In these cases, malfunctioning of the heart causes blood flow to the brain to be reduced, leading to fainting.
In the socalled vasovagal syndromes, fainting spells and recurrent dizziness can occur whenever the person is exposed to certain conditions that act as triggers for the crises.
Agglomerations on hot days, prolonged fasting, dehydration, insufficient intake of salty foods, excessive physical exertion and situations of high emotional exhaustion tend to be some common triggers.
What to do in the event of a crisis?
If someone is passing out near you, it’s best to do like the reporter who helped his colleague in São Vicente: hold the person and prevent them from hitting their head during the fall.
Then, if possible, lay the person down and put their feet up. Offer plenty of fresh water and some salty food, with a cracker of water and salt, or even a little salt water.
Fainting can even be a heart problem, such as B. Arrhythmia
Image: iStock
Beware of the “trick” of putting salt directly under the tongue, which is often remembered in these cases. While it’s more common with low blood pressure, high blood pressure can also cause fainting, which salt can be dangerous for. If the person has high blood pressure, see a doctor immediately.
If you feel ill yourself and can recognize the symptoms before you faint, try lying down or sitting down before you actually faint.
If it is not possible to lie down completely, crouch, cross your arms with your legs, bring your hands together and press one hand against the other. This will help your circulation to recover.
Some symptoms that might indicate fainting on the trail include:
- dizziness
- Blurred vision or aura
- cold sweat
- Headache or migraine basics
- excessive cold
Another tip is to watch your habits, eat well and drink plenty of water. Regular exercise, especially weight training, also helps improve blood flow, which helps prevent fainting.
*With information from reports published on 06/06/2022, 05/10/2021, 06/02/2021 and 08/08/2018.