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Tilt table testing evaluates how your body regulates blood pressure in response to some very simple stresses. Blood pressure is regulated by a set of nerves, which operate continuously. These nerves ensure that there is always enough blood going to the brain and to distribute blood to other organs according to their needs. These changes in blood pressure occur by making changes in the heart rate and by making changes in the size of certain blood vessels. At times, the nerves which control blood pressure may not operate properly and may cause a reaction that can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly. This reaction may produce a fainting spell or a number of symptoms including severe lightheadedness. Tilt table testing will determine the likelihood that a patient is susceptible to this type of reaction.
You will lie quietly on the table and keep your legs still. The table has three safety straps, one around your chest, one around your waist, and one around your knees—which keep you from slipping as the table moves.
You will be connected to three monitors during the test:
For the first fifteen minutes, you will lie flat while baseline heart rate and blood pressure are recorded. The physician may rub on one or both sides of your neck (carotid sinus massage) to check for changes in your heart rate. Next, the head of the table will rise, and the foot will drop until you are standing almost upright (70 degrees). You will be monitored closely by someone in the room with you during the entire test. Please be sure to let the staff know of any changes in the way you feel during testing.
The test is over when one or two things occur: Either you have stood for 40 minutes without any symptoms or you start experiencing symptoms and your heart rate or blood pressure changes.
While you are standing the physician may rub on the side(s) of your neck again to see if this affects your heart rate or rhythm at all.
Please plan to be with us in the office for two hours for this test. This includes check-in, test setup, testing/monitoring time, and recovery if indicated. During the test you may faint (pass out), have the symptoms you have when you are about to pass out or feel nothing at all. It is important to inform the staff of any symptoms you feel. At the end of the test, the physician will review the results and inform you of the findings. The physician may make changes to your medications or order additional testing.
We are a professional association comprised of physician specialists and other health professionals dedicated to providing quality patient care in an atmosphere of genuine concern.
