Blackout Checklists
Checklist: Preparing for a Doctor's Appointment
- Before visiting your doctor, it is important to write down what happens before, during and after an attack, including any ‘feelings’ you may have.
- Try to take along a witness of the attacks for your appointment. If a witness can’t come along, ask them to write down what exactly they have seen or ask them how the doctor could contact them. If they can record any details using a camera or video on a cell- phone this could help.
- Check that both epilepsy and syncope have been considered. Ask for a referral to a syncope expert if possible, or to both a cardiologist and a neurologist if you are not sure that the diagnosis is accurate.
- Remember to ask about possible referrals to a specialist for blackout, falls or arrhythmias.
- Be sure to take this checklist to your medical doctor as well as the STARS information booklet which you can leave with your doctor should he/she wish to contact STARS.
- Family History; check with all relatives to establish if there is a family history of blackouts/sudden or unexplained deaths.
