tilt table test

My EP has suggested a tilt table test before ablation. He wants to be sure that the tachycardia is cardiac driven not blood pressure. Has anyone had a tilt table test? I would sure appreciate any input. Sorry if this is a duplicate posting for some reason when I posted the first it went into outer space.
Thanks,
Margaret

6 Comments

Tilt table

by ccallahan - 2010-07-18 03:07:31

Mereiriz is right it is a simple process. I had mine few months ago and they did the same thing. They do not tilt you on your head or anything like those commercials for those back stretcher machines. You are put back when any changes occur. Just let them know when changes do occur. The did not put a line in me but I had something different they were testing me for. You will do fine.

Rev. Chuck

it's not so bad

by mereiriz - 2010-07-18 03:07:56

I had a tilt table test a few years ago at St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa. I had it just before the ablation so it was done in the cath lab, but I don't know if normally that's where it's done. They used straps in my legs, arms and trunk and put an arterial line to monitor my blood pressure. I think that was the worst part, because it really hurt. The rest of it can be somehow scary and weird, but it's not so bad. They will be moving you in different directions and then get you straight up and let you there for a few minutes looking for changes in your blood pressure. If you start feeling dizzy and your blood pressure starts to drop they will get you down right away and declare it positive. If everything is normal, you shouldn't feel anything unusual.

Best wishes,
Meredith

It's okay...

by pezzypooh - 2010-07-18 05:07:23

I had a Tilt Table test last April... I have the opposite problem, Bradycardia (caused by Sick Sinus Syndrome), and Orthostatic Hypotension. I failed this test, and it seemed to be the clencher for me getting the pacemaker...heart rate cut in half, BP cut in half, got sweaty and hot and passed out. The tech was really good and got me put back down and conscious quickly. It can be a disconcerting feeling, but I think that since it gave me some final diagnosis, I was okay with that!

I did not have any IV or arterial line. I only had a blood pressure cuff, heart monitor, and my holter monitor on. I'm sure what they hook you up to depends on your specific issues. I made sure to tell the tech even the smallest thing that was different at each stage of the test...a slight bit of nausea, a tiny bit of dizziness, temperature change...it is all noted on the chart, so he doctor can pin point things better. Just be honest!

Good luck with it! It's only a half hour of your life! Pezzypooh

tilt table at Loyola in Chicago

by Max4pups - 2010-07-19 01:07:19

I had mine done at the end of April to hopefully determine my diagnosis, which it did...(neurocardiogenic syncope type Cardi Inhibitory 2B w/ asystole...my test took all of 10 minutes because of the quick of my body to react...good luck!

Back stretcher machines

by ElectricFrank - 2010-07-19 02:07:59

I had one of those until about 10 yrs ago. I not only used it for my back, but found it was good for my circulatory system. I would swing back and forth between head down and feet down very 5-10 minutes. Never thought of it, but maybe that helped me later when my HR dropped 26 just before the implant. I could still get out of bed and stand up without feeling light headed.

One suggestion is to prepare yourself for feeling light headed during the test, and don't panic. Fear will just enhance the feeling. Look at it this way..for your implant you likely wanted to be given a sedative so why get upset by a natural one?

best,

frank

Nothing might happen

by Genie - 2010-07-19 06:07:02

I had one a year ago, before my PM. Was terrified I was going to pass out. But nothing happened. Some changes to my blood pressure, and I felt a little dizzy when they stood the table upright, but that was all, Half way through they gave me a spray under my tongue to open my blood vessels (the same thing they use to treat angina), and I again felt a bit dizzy, but that was all.

You will be fine. Don't worry: you may find that nothing happens and, if it does, they are watching you really carefully and you are really safe.

Genie

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