My girl friend has syncope and her mom says the doctor said take these pills which are called "metoprolol"...

Can you please tell me if her sickness is serious? if she takes metoprolol, which is a beta receptor blocker used to treat several diseases of the cardiovascular system, is it deadly? Will she get well by taking it? what are the chances of recovery and what are the chances of death?? Please dont give me any links. Im really worried.

your girlfriend will be fine, I have neurocardiogenic syncope and take metoprolol, midodrine and fludrocortisone. Syncope seems more serious than it actually is, the best thing you can do is be there for her because other peoples reactions to a fainter can be really hurtful, it's quite likely some smart *** will accuse her of attention seeking.

It may well be that your girlfriend will get better with just taking the metropolol but she might need some other pills as well, all syncope sufferers are different. You should ask her to take you along with her to an appointment so you can listen to what the specialists have to say and you can also find lots of info on syncope on the internet (but that's not the best source some say syncope is deadly but it really isn't).

you're very welcome, I hope your girlfriend gets her syncope under control :) Report It

I no nothing about this disease or meds! But I can and will pray for her! Best Wishes!

Well as long as she does what the doctors tellher, and she takes care of herself she shoudl be find and lead a long happy life. But when she's down you should be there to comfort her.

Ido not think there is any thing serious. YOUNG people do ha ve such attacks due to psycologocal disturbences. Get her fully invesigated.

Since you obviously have a computer, or access, go to a medical place and find the disease called "syncope" and look it up. or look up the med in google and there you will find information - [prob more reliable than this community. Good luck

Many people are on Beta blockers and live long, healthy lives. You have to understand that sometimes the body needs a little help. Now I don't know what her specific diagnosis is, but atrial fib/flutter is usually a cause for a beta blocker. Most doctors try medication for a while and if it works, great, but there are other treatments so, be supportive, and stand by her. As long as she takes her meds and does what the doctor tells her, she should be fine.

Syncope is just another word for fainting. If this is due to high blood pressure she has to stay on the meds and not miss a dose. My hubby takes this and is fine. His BP is normal and he's feeling alot better. Relax, she'll probably be just fine.

Syncope, or fainting, is a sudden loss of consciousness caused by decreased blood flow to the brain. Recovery occurs within seconds or minutes for many causes of fainting. About 3 - 4% of people, mostly the elderly, experience episodes of fainting.

common symptoms:
You may experience the following signs and symptoms before you faint:

Lightheadedness
Blurred vision
Sweating
Heaviness in your lower limbs
Giddiness
Confusion
Yawning
Nausea, and sometimes vomiting
During a fainting episode, in addition to loss of consciousness, you may experience the following symptoms:

Abnormal paleness
Falling down if standing, slumping if seated
Spasmodic jerks of your body
Weak pulse
Drop in blood pressure

common causes:
Fainting often occurs from a simple, non-medical cause, but may be the result of a serious health condition, such as heart disease (decreased blood flow to the heart or irregular heart rhythm), low blood sugar (often related to diabetes), seizures, panic attacks, and problems regulating blood pressure.

People with the following conditions or characteristics are at risk for fainting:

Over 65 years of age
Preexisting heart disease
Recreational drug use
Taking certain medications such as antihypertensives, insulin, oral hypoglycemics, diuretics, antiarrhythmics, or anticoagulants
Pregnancy

If you have fainted, you should see your health care provider. Your health care provider will ask questions, do a physical examination, and perform diagnostic tests. Tests may include blood tests, electrocardiogram (ECG), and imaging of the brain, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Your provider will focus on symptoms associated with the current fainting episode, medications you take, preexisting medical conditions, and your description of any similar episodes you may have experienced in the past. This will help your health care provider pinpoint the cause of the fainting episodes and identify or rule out particular health conditions. If seizures are suspected, your health care provider may also perform a test called an electroencephalogram (EEG).


Some cases of fainting may be preventable, depending on the cause.

Avoid fatigue, hunger, and stress.
Avoid changing positions quickly, especially rising from a sitting or lying-down position.
Sleep with the head of your bed elevated.
Avoid standing for long periods of time.
You may wear elastic stockings.
Diuretics and other prescription and non-prescription medicines can contribute to the problem, so check with your health care provider.
Avoid tight clothing around the neck.
Turn the whole body and not just the head when looking around.
To prevent injuries, cover floors with thick carpeting and avoid driving or operating mechanical equipment.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol.

Any serious underlying health condition must be treated. At the time of the fainting episode, make sure the person is in a position that increases blood flow to the brain, such as with the legs elevated. Loosen all tight clothing, apply cold water to the person's face, and turn the person's head to the side to prevent vomiting or choking. A pregnant woman should lie on her left side to relieve pressure on the heart.

Prognosis/Possible Complications
In most people, simple fainting is not a sign of a life-threatening disease, particularly if it only happens once. The elderly are at increased risk for injury after a fainting episode, especially from fractures

Metoprolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).

Metoprolol is used to treat angina (chest pain) and hypertension (high blood pressure). It is also used to treat or prevent heart attack.

Do not stop taking metoprolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

If you need to have any type of surgery, you may need to temporarily stop using metoprolol. Be sure the surgeon knows ahead of time that you are using metoprolol.
Metoprolol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which could increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking metoprolol.

Metoprolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.

Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

I am just wondering if your girlfriend checks her blood pressure before taking metoprolol? Metoprolol also decreases the blood pressure. If your blood pressure is low,fainting or syncope occurs.

She probably had a heart rhythm disturbance which was causing her to faint. In addition to controlling blood pressure, beta-blockers are also used for arrhythmia's. She will probably be fine.