Syncope listed as Cause of Death

[YB2019]

Hello,

I have just received the death certificate of my 3X Great Grandmother and her cause of death is listed as 'Syncope'. After a quick internet search I have found that syncope isn't usually a cause of death and normally refers to something else such as a heart attack etc.

Has anyone else had this written on a death certificate?!

Thanks in advance 

[Jebber]

Yes, Syncope is listed under cause of death on several certificates I have.

[CaroleW]

I have it on one of mine as well.  She was a 17yr old girl

[stanmapstone]

Apparently the use of syncope on certificates is now frowned upon as it describes a mode of death whereas the certificate should indicate a cause of death.


Stan

[YB2019]

Oh thanks everyone.

I suppose it could contribute to a cause of death but not be the main cause. My 3X Great Grandmother was only 33 when she died so quite young. I guess it will remain a mystery haha.

Thanks again 

[stanmapstone]

Syncope is a clinical syndrome defined as a relatively brief and self-limited transient loss of consciousness. However, in some instances, syncope may be due to more worrisome conditions (particularly those associated with cardiac structural disease or channelopathies), and, in such circumstances, syncope may be an indicator of increased morbidity and mortality risk, including sudden cardiac death (SCD).
Syncope and the risk of sudden cardiac death: Evaluation, management, and prevention
September 2017Journal of Arrhythmia http://www.rootschat.com/links/01q0j/

Stan

[pharmaT]

I have found many older death certificates list mode of death rather than cause.  We do have better understanding now and I don't think they were as strict historically as they are now.  I have one where it says "Heart stopped"

[ThrelfallYorky]

Well..... "Heart stopped" was pretty accurate, at least.

[pharmaT]

Well..... "Heart stopped" was pretty accurate, at least.

Well the way I see it (and my colleagues agreed) was that that was not the cause of death that was the process of death.  Something caused the heart to stop and THAT was the cause of death.

BTW my colleagues certify cause of death