TILT-TABLE TEST

TILT-TABLE TEST

Overview and Facts

In assessing the source of inexplicable fainting, a tilt-table test is being used. Your doctor might suggest a tilt-table test if you experienced a continuous, unexplained occurrence of feeling close to losing consciousness or passing out. The said test is being conducted to know if the root may be associated with the blood pressure or heart rate.

 

Why is it being conducted?

The tilt-table test might be suggested by your doctor to stimulate the symptoms and indicators, such as feeling close to losing consciousness or passing out while observing your heart rate and blood pressure.

The one who is responsible for controlling your heart rate and blood pressure is your nervous system. If you move into a standing position throughout the Tilt-table test, your blood pressure and heart rate might go lower immediately. A small amount of blood may circulate to your brain, perhaps, making you faint.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

In general, conducting this test is safe, and issues are infrequent. And just like any medical operation, it also brings some dangers.

Some of the issues involve:

  • Nausea and puking after losing consciousness
  • Lacking strength that may take some hours.
  • An extended time of having low blood pressure after the examination.

These issues typically go away when the table is turned into a horizontal position again.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

Your doctor might request you not to eat some meal or drink any beverages for two or more hours before undergoing a Tilt-table test. You can take your medicines just like your usual routine, except if your doctor tells you not to take it.

Before starting the procedure, a member of a health care team experts might:

  • Ask you to lie on a table.  A table that has a footboard and positions the straps all over to maintain your body in place.
  • Put sticky patches (electrodes) in your body, such as chest, legs, and arms. It is being done to observe the heart rate. Electrodes are being helped by the wires to connect into the electrocardiogram machine.
  • A blood pressure monitor will be placed upon your arm. While undergoing a test, this one is being done to examine your blood pressure.

Throughout the tilt-table test

  • It will start by lying your back on the table for 5 minutes.
  • You will be turned into an upright position. You will be positioned upright from 5 to 45 minutes, and it may be different and depend on the reason for the test.
  • After 45 minutes, and still, you do not feel any signs,  a medicine named medication isoproterenol (Isuprel) may give to you by the use of an IV line that is attached in your arm.
  • You will still be positioned upright for another 15-20 minutes.

After the procedure

  • The table will turn horizontally as soon as possible, and you will be observed if you lose consciousness while being positioned vertically. Mostly, patients recovered their consciousness almost in an instant.
  • In some circumstances, when the blood pressure and heart rate shows you are about to lose consciousness, the table will be turned horizontally immediately to avoid passing out.

Outcomes

  • If you feel dizzy or about to faint during the procedure, and your blood pressure decreases, the result is positive.
  • If your heart rate slightly increases, and you didn’t experience fainting, the result is negative.

Your doctor may suggest several tests to eliminate other things that may cause fainting.

Related Articles

TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects the [...]

TRICHINOSIS

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic infection caused by [...]

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by severe facial pain. [...]