Tilt Table Test: Question

Hi all. Further to my GP sending me off for lots of blood tests last Tuesday (went to see him about my dizziness & my BP was better at 100/70 from 80/50).....all the results came back normal. So he told me to contact my cardiac team & let them know about my dizziness. They already knew 4 weeks ago & did another ECG & exercise/treadmill test then, but they had told me to let them know if my dizziness got worse.

Anyway, I contacted my cardiac team & they are arranging for another 24 hour ECG tape & a Tilt Table Test to be done within the next few weeks.

Has anyone had a Tilt Table Test? I've read up about it on the web but I wondered if anyone could tell me their personal experiences of having it done & what did it diagnose for you?

Was a Dr present during the test? I read that you might need immediate treatment if you collapse etc! Bit scary!

If anyone can tell me anything, I'd be very grateful. Thank you very much.

Best wishes
Janey

8 Comments

Tilt Table Test

by Pookie - 2010-09-26 02:09:23

I had one in February of 2007 at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.

I remember them putting some electrodes and wires on my left leg, a blood pressure cuff on my arm, and EKG stickies all over my chest.

Then they tilted the table very slowly. I did not pass out, but it did re-create my dizziness.

From that test they diagnosed me with Neurocardiogenic Syncope.

Hope this helps.

Pookie

Passing Out

by lahbigbro6 - 2010-09-26 02:09:56

I was passing out alot and no one had given me a Tilt Table Test. I took the Tilt Table Test and passed out. I was diagnosed immediately with neuro cardiogenic syncope. I have very low blood pressure with fluctionions that causes the heart to stop. I had an Rx to take to raise the blood pressure but it did not work all the time, at that point a pacemaker was impacted. I still take the Rx, but am protected. Good luck with the test.

Had the test

by Heidiglassmeyer - 2010-09-26 04:09:02

Hi Janey,
Just wanted to add a few comments in addition to what has already been posted. They do securely strap on in so if you do pass out you aren't going anywhere. I had my EP present, a tech, and a nurse who all assured me if something happened they were well prepared. My vitals were watched the entire time. For me it did not assist with my diagnosis but did rule a few things out. I hope having all of our experiences help put you at ease! Best of luck and I hope it results in a diagnosis of your issue.

Take care,
Heidi

Low Blood Pressure

by Pookie - 2010-09-26 10:09:11

....I forgot to add that I have very low blood pressure too and when I do any activity, meaning move my body, my BP drops and my heart rate usually remains flat.

I am a medical mystery.

I was also diagnosed with Hypotension Intolerance and was put on an Rx but the side effects - well, I couldn't handle them so when I feel really bad, I drink a lot of water, gatoraide or Pedialyte which has less sugar (it's for babies, but very expensive) and I sometimes wear the compression hose which make for a lovely fashion statement :)

Take care
Pookie

Dizzy Too

by biker72 - 2010-09-26 11:09:50

I've had no experience on a Tilt Table but if my BP ever got as low as 80/50, I'd be dizzy too.

A number of years ago I got dehydrated on a bicycle ride and got a little dizzy. My BP had dropped to 90/60.

Low BP and dehydration

by cruz - 2010-09-27 01:09:27

I had a "modified" tilt test because even after the PM, my BP was dropping and staying so low. It made me hesitant about standing up, walking and getting around. I kept mentioning it during all the work ups and blood tests but nothing. One of the EP's nurses decided that they should just see what was happening with me. They put a BP cuff on and had me lie down for about 10 minutes and took my BP. They had me slowly sit up, while two of them were at my side and the BP cuff reading again. I slowly stood up, thinking the test had proven nothing, since I didn't get dizzy. When I said, "I guess it must be in my head, since I didn't get dizzy" they were shocked, since my BP had dropped to 70/53. They did some more work-up and decided my meds needed to be adjusted and that I was taking the advice about limiting fluids too much in stride. I was dehydrated plus the heart meds were lowering my BP too much. They had to cut down on some meds and get me off the diruetics. I still get dizzy or light-headed because my BP refuses to come up to a normal range of more than around 89 but I'm careful not to bend and raise up or stand up without sitting straight for a few seconds to let everything "settle." I felt very safe and they will take good care of you. Hope this helps.
Cammy

Tilt Table Test

by pezzypooh - 2010-09-27 09:09:50

Hi, there!

I had a Tilt Table Test as part of my testing to figure out why I was blacking out. The test can be pretty dauting, but it did ultimately diagnose me, so it was worth it!

They laid me down and hooked me up to a heart monitor and bp monitor. I laid there for maybe 10 minutes. They then tilted the table to a 45 degree angle. I was there for maybe 10 minutes, again. I started to feel a bit nauseous and dizzy. Finally, they tilted me to 90 degrees. The nausea got worse, and dizziness got worse, then I started sweating. Eventually, my heart rate cut in half to 40 and my BP cut in half to 70/30. It was like a lightswitch was flipped and I blacked out. The nurse quickly laid me down, and did the smelling salts on me. They had me lay there for a bit, then when I felt okay, sat me up and gave me juice and crackers. Basically, I failed the test with flying colors.

I was diagnosed with Neurocardiogenic Syncope, Sick Sinus Syndrome, Orthostatic Hypotension, and Bradycardia in the end (after several other tests).

All in all, it certainly was not the worst test I went through. It did diagnose part of my problems and it got me on the road to the pacemaker surgery! Good luck when you have it done...don't be scared! Trust that it will help figure out what is going on in the end!

UK test

by Genie - 2010-09-28 06:09:23

Hi Janey,

I know you are in the UK so thought I would add to this. i had one at the Chelsea and Westminster in London before my PM was implanted. It was fine. Like you, I had dizziness, but hadn't passed out. And I didn't pass out during the test. Basically, you are in a small room (like when you have an echo) and there is a nurse, and a tech. They strap you to a table, and then slowly tilt it upwards until you are at standing position. They keep the room very dark, and very quiet. All the time they really closely monitor you, looking at your BP and heart rate.

After about 15 minutes a doctor came and gave me a spray under my tongue to increase blood flow (they only do this if you still haven't passed out). I felt dizzy after this, but still didn't pass out.

Either way, it is really safe, so don't worry about it. I was really scared beforehand, but everyone was lovely and it was fine.

Genie

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