Anxiety attacks, also called panic attacks, cause emotional and physical symptoms. People with anxiety attacks experience different symptoms. Possible anxiety attack symptoms include nausea, racing heart rate, dizziness, feelings of impending doom, and rapid, shallow breathing. Can anxiety attacks cause fainting?

Some people have experienced fainting with anxiety attacks. Fainting, also called syncope, is caused by a decrease in blood flow to the brain. Though most episodes of fainting subside within minutes without causing injury, people may get hurt when they fall to the floor when they faint. This is especially dangerous for the elderly.

When someone faints, the person loses consciousness. Fainting is a fairly common condition. Fainting during an anxiety attack can be caused by intense fear or emotional distress. Anxiety attacks can also cause fainting from hyperventilation. Breathing during anxiety attacks often becomes fast and shallow which can lead to hyperventilating.

With the rapid, shallow breathing of anxiety attacks, fainting occurs due to the high levels of oxygen and rapid release of carbon dioxide. The resulting low level of carbon dioxide causes a constriction of the blood vessels of the brain. The decreased blood flow in the brain may cause fainting or lightheadedness. If a person is aware of their rapid breathing, the person may learn to consciously slow their breathing during an anxiety attack.

Fainting from anxiety attacks can be due to vagus nerve stimulation. The vagus nerve is located in the neck, chest, and intestines. This nerve may become stimulated in response to emotional distress or fear. Vagus nerve stimulation can cause nausea, clammy hands, and fainting. Fainting from vagus nerve stimulation is called vasovagal or vasomotor syncope.

If possible, people experiencing lightheadedness during a panic attack should sit to help avoid injury if they faint. Other conditions can make a person more susceptible to fainting. Heart, nerve, and circulation problems can cause fainting. Fainting can also be caused by drug use, medications, alcohol use, and excessive hunger or low blood sugar. Typically, fainting during anxiety attacks is not cause for alarm. Most people who have fainted from anxiety do not have any medical conditions causing the fainting.