“I fainted while out running – here’s what it taught me about the body’s physical response to stress and rest”

Fainting while running

Credit: Getty

Strong Women


“I fainted while out running – here’s what it taught me about the body’s physical response to stress and rest”

By Hannah Bradfield

3 years ago

3 min read

After experiencing vasovagal syncope, writer Hannah Bradfield spoke to a cardiologist to find out what the condition entails, why it happened, what to do (and not to do) when somebody faints – and how stress can manifest physically. 

On one particularly gross Sunday morning, despite the relentless rain and a subpar night’s sleep, I dragged myself out running with my dad. I’d run my first 10K race the week before, I was enjoying it, and it was helping me to deal with grief.

So I laced up my trainers, plugged in a playlist and set off. The first couple of kilometres were good – other than trying to keep up with my overly competitive dad, I felt alright.

However, as we both slowed down just before some traffic lights, I started to feel a bit funny. I’d never fainted before, but the next moment – just as James Morrison broke into the chorus of You Give Me Something – I was lying on the pavement with a missing AirPod, a bumped head and my dad and a scared-looking old lady peering over me. 

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