my father is in another state. my mom called me and said that he was in the family room watching tv with her and had his eyes open and mouth open but was unresponsive. she slapped him in the face a few times and nothing. called ems and they took vitals and asked questions and offered to take to er...he said no. he has history of cancer and heart problems. oh before ems arrived he awake but doesn t remember what happened. I am begging her to take him to er but he refuses but says he will go to dr tomorrow. I am afraid of mini stroke? advice?
Hello, as your father had loss of consciousness for few seconds or minutes. As your father is elderly and history of stroke with heart problems. Thanks for detailed history, he had cancer, which might caused metastasis to the brain and caused these absence seizures(Unresponsive to stimuli) . These symptoms can also be explained by stroke like TIA (transient ischemic attack) , where transient loss of consciousness. Fortunately your dad recovered from symptoms, thus seek medical attention as soon as possible and take treatment. Hope your father not have significant findings and are within normal limits.