Question Title: carotid duplex scan, valvular HD and tilt table test

Hi, I am scheduled for a valvular HD, carotid duplex scan and a tilt table test after having seen my dr. due to an extreme case a dizziness, where I felt like I was going to black out. I am also going to be placed on an event monitor due to heart rhythm irregularities. Could you explain these variety of tests, what they will determine and their procedures? Bicuspid aortic valve with regurgitation is also one of my notable qualities.....
Thank you for this forum. It has been invaluable!!!!!!!!!!

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Dear Leesa,
The 'valvular HD' test is nothing I have ever heard of, however I think you might mean
an echocardiogram to evaluate your valvular heart disease as anyone with a bucuspid aortic
valve needs regular follow-up as well as whenever there are symptoms b/c bicuspid aortic
valves can close down (stenose) and thereby block the flow of blood out to the body and head-
often resulting in near fainting. The echo will show the exact characteristics of your
abnormal valve as well as how the function of your left ventricle is doing in response to
that abnormal valve.
The carotid duplex is an ultrasound of the arteries that feed blood from the heart
to the brain via the neck. The ultrasound probe (like a microphone) will be placed on your
neck and the flow of blood toward your brain will be investigated by a technique called
Doppler designed to rule out or in the presence of blockages in those vessels.
The tilt table is a test where you lie on a table and the nurses/technician and physician
monitor your heart rate and blood pressure as they slowly tilt the table up such that you are
practically in a standing position. Some people have awry blood pressure/heart rate feed back systems
that makes them extremely dizzi and even pass out when they are standing, this tilt table test was designed
to diagnose those patients.
Good Luck. I hope this information has been useful, please write back if you have any furher questions.
Information provided in the heart forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only,
actual diagnosis and treatment can only be made by your physician(s).

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