Syncope: a benign condition? (Part 1)

Introduction Risk factors Epidemiology Aetiology Orthostatic syndromes Initial assessment Duration of symptoms Risk stratification Conclusion References This is part 1 of a two-part article. Part 2 can be found here.     Introduction Syncope is defined as a sudden, but brief loss of consciousness caused by inadequate perfusion to the brain. It is usually benign, but it could also be suggestive of other underlying pathology hence proper investigation of a presentation of syncope is important. Various conditions can present with syncope-like episodes and it is important to make a distinction between actual syncope and other presentations such as seizures, or