WARM EYE COMPRESS FAINTING FREE

Ms A's father insisted that she undergo extensive medical testing and arranged for her glucose level to be checked during practice sessions and matches. She reported feeling increasingly anxious as these tournaments approached and became especially anxious as she progressed to the championship round. Then, when Ms A started to play in regional tournaments, she began to lose matches after being significantly ahead. Not surprisingly, Ms A was a very good athlete she had played competitive tennis since she was a child and was quite successful at sports until her early teens. Her parents, both excellent athletes, met playing college tennis. Ms A's family history revealed that one of her father's 2 siblings, a brother, had died suddenly in his early 40s.

When Ms A returned to skating in the pack, her episodes ceased. Results of her stress test and a Holter monitor were unremarkable. Following several episodes of fainting, she contacted her physician, who checked a variety of blood tests (eg, Chem-7, thyroid function tests, complete blood count ) and referred her to a cardiologist. Ms A's medical history was notable for juvenile-onset diabetes (for which she had been taking insulin for years) and mitral valve prolapse. After skating as a jammer for several games, Ms A began to experience light-headedness during warm-ups and, on a few occasions, passed out for less than 30 seconds. The jammers score points by passing members of the opposing team.

WARM EYE COMPRESS FAINTING FREE

Skaters from both teams form the “pack.” Jammers start behind the pack and, with the help of teammates, attempt to get free of the pack and then lap or overtake the pack. After 12 months, her skating had improved to the point that she was asked to take on the role of a “jammer.” In roller derby, each team has 2 jammers. She had been with the team for about 18 months. Most of her episodes of light-headedness and, at times, passing out occurred while warming up for roller derby games. She worked in the financial services industry (where she achieved success and promotions) and, in her spare time, skated with a women's roller derby team. She appeared athletic and interpersonally appropriate. Ms A, a 28-year-old single woman with several months of fainting episodes, was seen for an evaluation of anxiety.

Warm eye compress fainting