vasovagal attack

vasovagal attack

n.

See vagal attack.

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attack [ah-tak´]

an episode or onset of illness.

anxiety attack panic attack.

heart attack

1. popular term for myocardial infarction.

2. any of various types of acute episodes of ischemic heart disease.

panic attack an episode of acute intense anxiety, with symptoms such as pounding or racing heart, sweating, trembling or shaking, feelings of choking or smothering, chest pain, nausea, dizziness, feelings of unreality, and chills or hot flashes. It is the essential feature of panic disorder and other anxiety disorders as well as other psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia and mood disorders.

transient ischemic attack see transient ischemic attack.

vagal attack (vasovagal attack) see vasovagal attack.

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vasovagal [vas″o-va´gal]

vascular and vagal.

vasovagal attack a transient vascular and neurogenic reaction marked by pallor, nausea, sweating, bradycardia, and rapid fall in arterial blood pressure, which, when below a critical level, results in loss of consciousness and characteristic electroencephalographic changes. It is most often evoked by emotional stress associated with fear or pain. Called also vagal attack and vasovagal syncope.