Syncope in older people

Syncope in the elderly population is a complex and often ill understood entity. Therefore, its diagnosis and management can prove to be challenging. This challenge is of particular relevance for the general practitioner, who is frequently called upon to initiate management of patients in the community presenting with €œcollapse; query cause€. This article is a review of the epidemiology, aetiology, pathophysiology and diagnostic pitfalls of syncope in the elderly.