Cure for mom’s heart condition that caused fainting while eating

Sarah Hall, a 50-year-old midwife from St. Albans in Hertfordshire, suffered from a rare heart condition called cardioinhibitory swallow syncope, which caused her heart to pause up to 12 times a day while swallowing food. The condition triggered fainting, visual disturbances, and blackouts, forcing her to stop driving and take months off work due to fear of losing consciousness during meals. Hall’s symptoms began in her late 40s, initially dismissed as perimenopause or dehydration. By age 48, she experienced severe episodes, including fainting in front of her children during a family lunch, prompting medical investigation. Doctors confirmed the condition, where swallowing overstimulated her vagus nerve, causing dangerous heart rate drops or pauses lasting up to a minute. In 2024, Hall participated in a research trial for a cutting-edge procedure called cardioneural ablation (CNA). The treatment involved inserting catheters through her groin to map nerve activity in her heart, then using heat to destroy problematic nerve cells responsible for the heart-slowing response. The procedure successfully eliminated her symptoms, allowing her to eat without fear of fainting. Hall described the impact of her condition as devastating, affecting her job, independence, and family life. She had to rely on her husband during meals and avoided public dining to prevent injuries from potential falls. Since the ablation, she has not fainted and can now live without the constant fear of her heart stopping mid-meal. The condition, with fewer than 150 reported cases worldwide, highlights the need for greater awareness and treatment options. Hall’s recovery offers hope for others suffering from this rare and debilitating disorder.