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Vasovagal Syncope pp 3–17Cite as

Origin and Evolution of the Vasovagal Reflex

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Abstract

We conducted an extensive bibliographic research on the vasovagal reactions in animals, including humans, in order to investigate the possible factors that may explain the origin and evolution of VVS. We found two processes which appear relevant for the investigation of VVS evolution: fear/threat bradycardia (alarm bradycardia) in animals, mainly during tonic immobility and vasovagal reflex during hemorrhagic shock (thoracic hypovolemia) both in animals and humans. The available data suggest that VVS in humans, alarm bradycardia in animals, and the vasovagal reflex during hemorrhagic shock share the same physiological mechanisms and that is indicative of a common evolutionary root. However, during the vasovagal reflex, loss of consciousness occurs in humans, but it is absent (or extremely rare) in animals. That can be explained to be due to the erect posture and the large brain that evolved in our species. If the vasovagal reflex persisted for millions of years along the vertebrates evolutionary history, we can reasonably assume that it has a function and it is not harmful. It could be neutral or beneficial, but the available data suggest it is beneficial; likely, it evolved as an advantageous response to stressful and possibly dangerous heart conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Cardiology and Syncope Unit, Ospedale Privato Quisisana, Viale Cavour 128, Ferrara, 44121, Italy

    Paolo Alboni

  2. Department of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Sassari, Via Muroni 25, Sassari, 07100, Italy

    Marco Alboni

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  1. Paolo Alboni
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Cardiology, Ospedale Privato Quisisana, Ferrara, Italy

    Paolo Alboni

  2. Department of Medicine - BIOMETRA, Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan, Italy

    Raffaello Furlan

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Alboni, P., Alboni, M. (2015). Origin and Evolution of the Vasovagal Reflex. In: Alboni, P., Furlan, R. (eds) Vasovagal Syncope. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09102-0_1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09102-0_1

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