For those who have ever even suddenly and briefly lost consciousness, it's a disconcerting situation that typically triggers a thorough medical workup with no definitive diagnosis.
This study found one-time fainters were 74 percent more likely to eventually be admitted to the hospital for heart attack or stroke and five times more likely to need a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator at some point in the future.
Authors say even low-risk people who faint need to be carefully evaluated.
