A tilt table test may be done on an outpatient basis. This means you go home the same day. Or it may be done as part of a hospital stay. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your healthcare provider’s practices.
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You may be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the test.
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You will be asked to remove clothing from the waist up and will be given a gown to wear.
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You will be asked to empty your bladder before the procedure.
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You will lie down on a special bed or table.
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An IV (intravenous) line will be started in your hand or arm to inject medicine and to give fluids, if needed.
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ECG electrodes will be placed on your chest and attached to an ECG machine with wire leads. A blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm and will be attached to an automatic blood pressure monitoring machine.
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You will lie flat on the bed for a few minutes. Then you will be raised to an almost standing angle while on the bed. Straps will be placed across your chest and legs to keep you from falling if you faint during the test.
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You will stay upright for up to 20 to 45 minutes to see if symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, low heart rate, or low blood pressure occur.
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If no symptoms happen, you may be given a medicine in your IV line to speed up your heart rate or to lower your blood pressure. This will be given while you are lying flat again.
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After the medicine is given (if needed), you will again be tilted upright and watched for symptoms of dizziness, fainting, low heart rate, or low blood pressure.
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Once enough information is gathered, you will be lowered to a flat position and allowed to rest for a while. Your heart rate and blood pressure will be watched.
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Sometimes the technician may massage the sides of your neck to see if a slow heart rate can be induced.
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When you are stable, the IV line, blood pressure cuff or arterial line, and ECG electrodes will be removed.
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You will be allowed to dress and leave, unless your healthcare provider tells you differently.