Just before a person faints, their skin tone may turn pale and their muscle tone may relax. It is also not unusual for a person to feel weak or nauseated, and to have a sensation that surrounding noises are fading into the background.

Other signs and symptoms that may occur just before fainting include:

• Difficulty hearing
• Feeling of warmth
• Black out or white out in field of vision
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Rapid breathing (hyperventilation)
• Rapid heartbeats
• Sweating

A person who faints and exhibits slurred speech or difficulty moving an arm or leg afterward may have suffered a stroke (temporary or permanent loss of blood supply to the various brain areas). This requires immediate medical attention.

Patients should also notify a physician if fainting occurs suddenly without any warning signs, when turning one's head or more than once in a one month period, or is associated with any of the following symptoms:

• Blurred vision
• Chest pain
• Confusion
• Irregular heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty talking