Syncope and collapse (R55)

Browse all the diagnosis codes used for syncope and collapse (r55). For easy navigation, the diagnosis codes are sorted in alphabetical order and grouped by sections. Each section is clearly marked with its description, and the corresponding three-digit code range. This format makes it simple to browse diagnosis codes in this chapter or section and find what you're looking for. We've also added green checkmark icons to label billable codes, and red warning icons for non-billable ones. This makes it easy to identify which codes can be billed.

Clinical Information

Brain Ischemia - Localized reduction of blood flow to brain tissue due to arterial obstruction or systemic hypoperfusion. This frequently occurs in conjunction with brain hypoxia (HYPOXIA, BRAIN). Prolonged ischemia is associated with BRAIN INFARCTION.

Heat Stress Disorders - A group of conditions that develop due to overexposure or overexertion in excessive environmental heat.

Syncope - A transient loss of consciousness and postural tone caused by diminished blood flow to the brain (i.e., BRAIN ISCHEMIA). Presyncope refers to the sensation of lightheadedness and loss of strength that precedes a syncopal event or accompanies an incomplete syncope. (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, pp367-9)

Syncope, Vasovagal - Loss of consciousness due to a reduction in blood pressure that is associated with an increase in vagal tone and peripheral vasodilation.

Instructional Notations

Inclusion Terms

These terms are the conditions for which that code is to be used. The terms may be synonyms of the code title, or, in the case of "other specified" codes, the terms are a list of the various conditions assigned to that code. The inclusion terms are not necessarily exhaustive. Additional terms found only in the Alphabetic Index may also be assigned to a code.

  • Blackout
  • Fainting
  • Vasovagal attack

Type 1 Excludes

A type 1 excludes note is a pure excludes note. It means "NOT CODED HERE!" An Excludes1 note indicates that the code excluded should never be used at the same time as the code above the Excludes1 note. An Excludes1 is used when two conditions cannot occur together, such as a congenital form versus an acquired form of the same condition.

  • cardiogenic shock R57.0
  • carotid sinus syncope G90.01
  • heat syncope T67.1
  • neurocirculatory asthenia F45.8
  • neurogenic orthostatic hypotension G90.3
  • orthostatic hypotension I95.1
  • postprocedural shock T81.1
  • psychogenic syncope F48.8
  • shock NOS R57.9
  • shock complicating or following abortion or ectopic or molar pregnancy O00 O07 O08.3
  • shock complicating or following labor and delivery O75.1
  • Stokes-Adams attack I45.9
  • unconsciousness NOS R40.2