Breathing typically continues normally throughout the attack, and, upon recovery, the patient becomes flushed as the heart rapidly pumps the oxygenated blood from the pulmonary beds into the systemic circulation, which has become dilated due to hypoxia.

[5] As with any syncopal episode that results from a cardiac dysrhythmia, the fainting does not depend on the patient's position.

Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia or atrial fibrillation has been reported as the underlying cause in up to 5% of patients in one series.

The resulting lack of blood flow to the brain is responsible for the loss of consciousness and associated fainting episode.

[8] Initial treatment can be medical, involving the use of drugs like isoprenaline (Europe) or isoproterenol (US/Canada) (Isuprel) and epinephrine (adrenaline).