Tilt Table Test - Questions

A friend of mine recommended this site. I have been struggling with extreme fatigue and fainting for about a year. Several "minor" injuries and hospital stays showed nothing major - high blood pressure. Found a new Cardiologist and got bp under control but still suffering from extreme exhaustion and fainting more frequestly. At times I feel like it's an effort to breathe. Walking up stairs is like running a marathon for me. I'm having a Tilt Table Test tomorrow and don't know what to expect. He mentioned the word pacemaker when explaining and, needless to say, I'm in a panic. Any feedback on the test would be appreciated. I'm a 43 year old female named Dawn.

6 Comments

don't panic

by Tracey_E - 2008-10-22 10:10:03

I've never had a tilt test, sorry I can't help there. It usually diagnoses positional blood pressure problems, like when your bp drops off drastically when you stand up.
Here are some details
http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/guide/tilt-table-test

Have they done a Holter monitor? That's like an ekg that you wear for a few days and it tells them what your heart is doing, such as if your heart rate is dropping too low. There are a number of things that can cause that- dizziness and fainting are symptoms of most of them, and a pm can fix it.

Please don't panic at the thought of a pacemaker! First of all, you don't even know what's wrong so it's premature to think you might need one. Second, if you do need one, it's truly not the end of the world. Check out the member gallery here- we all are everyday people you meet on the street and live perfectly normal lives. We just happen to have a bit of help achieving a normal heart rate.

It's a very minor surgery and it can get rid of most if not all of your symptoms, if it turns out low hr is your problem. I've always thought that was a small price to pay to feel good! I'm 42 and on my 4th pm now. IF you find out you need one (notice I am NOT saying when), please feel free to pick our brains. We're all more than happy to share our experiences with you.

it's a piece of cake!

by mandogrl - 2008-10-22 10:10:04

The only bad part about the tilt table test (for me) was the IV, cuz I'm needle-phobic. But once you get past that, they just strap you to a table with a ton of heart leads, a blood pressure monitor, and the little thing on your finger. I think they monitored me just laying on the table for at least 1/2 hour. Then they rotate the table so you are basically standing on a little platform, and the table is against your back. Then they take readings every 2 minutes. People with vasovagal problems, have fluctuations in BP and pulse under these conditions. Since you're a fainter, like me, you might fiant during the test. But you're strapped in and they are right there, so you're going to be okay even if you do.
Man, I was so-o-o relieved when mine was extremely positive!!! Sure, you have to faint one more time to get the test results, but then you know what's going on in your body.
I did elect to get a PM... and have never fainted again!
Major YAY!!!! hope you get the results you want too.
Good luck, and let us know how it goes, when you feel like it.

Welcome to the club

by PeggyR - 2008-10-22 10:10:10

I don't know anything about the test, BUT 9/4/08 I went to my family doc, short of breath, did EKG heart rate around 40, 9/5 was at cardio office at 9:15, 10 in hospital and within 2 1/2 hours was on way to oper rm to have pacemaker implanted. The post implant is not bad, very little discomfort - it is a procedure, not a true operation I'm told. Then had to restrict useage of left arm to a certain degree, don't raise it to shoulder as it could pull leads out of veins. I go to doc on Nov 13th and he will set up stress tests to be sure nothing else is going on. I understand your anxiety, but try to relax and feel comfortable that they are looking into it. If you need PM, even that won't be end of the world so to speak. I was lucky, no time to think about it, had no idea had heart problem. Good luck with the test, you can probably do a search online and find out a lot about it and you will be in my thoughts and prayers. Remember "Alwasy blessings, never losses".

No Fear...

by chip - 2008-10-23 12:10:41

This post is probably a little too late to ease your fears about the tilt-table test but it is really no big deal at all. The post from mandogrl explains it pretty well but not everyone will get the IV.

During my test – no IV – and I lasted 2 minutes before the faint. Diagnoses made and a few days latter received a pacemaker.

Do not be afraid of the pacemaker, I’m 48 and it’s been the best thing to happen to me in some time. Really will improve your quality of life!

Live well & God Bless!

Cheap and dirty tilt table

by ElectricFrank - 2008-10-24 12:10:52

What's the different between laying on their table and be tilted upright compared to laying flat on my back in bed for half an hour or so and then suddenly standing up. Most of us do that every morning.

A few years back I had one of those "upside down machines" where I would hang upside down held by some boots. I would often stay in that position for 30 minutes or so and then go upright. No problem then. I wonder what would happen today! I don't have the machine anymore. It started getting too rickety to be safe.

frank

Book

by ElectricFrank - 2008-10-25 12:10:28

Is the book going to be on your pacemaker experience?

frank

You know you're wired when...

You always have something close to your heart.

Member Quotes

I have an ICD which is both a pacer/defib. I have no problems with mine and it has saved my life.