---
url: 'https://www.healthinaging.org/a-z-topic/fainting-syncope'
title: 'Fainting (Syncope)'
author:
  name: 'Jennifer Cross'
  url: 'https://www.healthinaging.org/user/102'
date: '2018-11-01T19:59:23+00:00'
updated: '2026-05-05T16:44:03+00:00'
type: topic
summary: 'Compared to younger adults, syncope—the medical term for fainting—occurs twice as often in adults older than 70, and three to four times as often in adults over the age of 80.'
tags:
  - Health
published: true
---
 Syncope (pronounced SIN-co-pee) is the medical term for fainting, which is a sudden and brief loss of consciousness. Fainting can result from many different health conditions.



 



 

 [Basic Facts

 ](/a-z-topic/fainting-syncope/basic-facts) 

 

 [Causes

 ](/a-z-topic/fainting-syncope/causes) 

 

 [Diagnosis & Tests

 ](/a-z-topic/fainting-syncope/tests) 

 

 [Care & Treatment

 ](/a-z-topic/fainting-syncope/care-treatment) 

 

 [Lifestyle & Management

 ](/a-z-topic/fainting-syncope/lifestyle)