tilt table test

[cyn123]

Hello and Thankyou
I have been experiencing  a flushing feeling in my chest  almost like the blood leaves my chest and comes back seconds later.  I do feel slightly light headed when this happens.  I also get some palps when i lay down at night mostly on my right side or if i bend down. I had an av node ablation done in 2000 for svt and have not had any of those at all.  I went back to my cardio doc and they are sending me to a tilt table test.  Iam scared to death of the medication they inject to increase my heart.  Do i have to have this.  He is r/o  neurocardiogenic syncope.   I have never fainted so iam wondering if this test is necessary.   I am getting an  echo and stress echo as well.   Just wondering what to expect  with the Tilt table. Thank you for your time.

[CCF-M.D.-KE]

Dear Cyn123,

Sorry to hear about your symptoms. The tilt table test is used to determine whether or not a person is experiencing vasovagal syncope. The test involves you being placed on a circular table in a vertical position. The table will be rotated to various angulations in an effort to induce syncope.  The test is relatively benign and your doctor must think it will provide some useful information.  If you are concerned discuss the tilt table test with your doctor to see exactly what information he/she is seeking to obtain.

The echocardiogram and stress echocardiogram are ultrasound studies of the heart. The stress echo is being done to evaluate you for the possibility of blockages in the heart arteries. The test will also be able to evaluate the heart valves and  heart muscle function.
You may also benefit from a holter monitor or an event monitor study. These are devices worn from 2 days to 1 month and record the electrical activity of the heart. These tests would likely be able to determine whether or not the palpitations you are experiencing are related to a rhythm disturbance. You should avoid caffeine, alcohol, tobacco and stimulants such as those found in decongestants in an effort to reduce your palpitations.
Hope you feel better.

Thanks for your question,


CCF-MD-KE

[TSC]

I also had the tilt table test...the medicine they give you is just a tablet that disolves under your tounge.  The medicine did not speed up my heart rate, but it did make me pass out.  Overall, the test is not bad.  It will help rule out NMS.
Good Luck...

[jan]

I had the tilt table test done and was given isuprel thru IV.  It did cause my heart rate to jump to 170bpm, which was very uncomfortable (but the dr said that is an abnormal response).  My heart rate had been previously recorded that high while wearing a holter monitor, but I never had palps.  Between the two I was diag with inappropriate sinus tachycardia.  I was, also, diag with neurocardiogenic by the tilt table test and I had never fainted before.  But what an amazing change when they put me on meds!!!  I had a life again!

Some drs. will use the nitroglycerin tab under the tongue.  I had that also and experienced none of the things prior.  When I had to see a univ. dr. he was surprised the other cardio used the tab. (maybe just because of my situation).

Here is a link that tells about the TTT:

http://www.heartcenteronline.com/myheartdr/common/articles.cfm?ARTID=491

I hope that helps.

[cyn123]

Thanks guys  very much for your responce.  I hope you are feeling better as well

[Griffin]

I had a tilt test last week, it was normal.  After they administered the IV drug, my body started shaking,so they stopped the drug, it took me about 2 days to feel better.  Has this happened to anyone else?  and if so, what caused it.  My doctor was not present and the tech told me not to worry about it.  I'm not worried but would like to know what happened.

[CCURN]

I have had 2 tilt table tests in the past year.  I have neurocardiogenic syncope and have never fully passed out.  I too have had the isuprel injection, and it did cause my heart to race (it's supposed to) and it induced some of the (unpleasant) symptoms I had been having all along of chest pain and shortness of breath.  But that doesn't mean that it will be the same for you.  They will watch you very closely. But they do recommend that you do not drive yourself there because some people do have unpleasant symptoms from this test.  Some from the test itself, and some from the drugs if used.  I felt bad just for the rest of the day. You don't have to pass out to be diagnosed with neurocardiogenic syncope.  They will look at what your heart rate does in relation to your posture as well as your blood pressure.  They will also listen to what you tell them as far as how you are feeling...make sure you tell them what your symptoms are!  ie..light headed, dizzy, chest pain, etc...  Good luck to you!

[karie]

I had a tilt table test at 32 and passed out after the injection of atropine and a different position was established. The cardiologist watched me closely and my heart rate and b/p changed alot. I do get light headed in certain situations. Told I have Neurocardiogenic syncope. Increased many small meals and know my limits. What diet,meds or changes did your cardiologist suggest ?

[Jfizzy]

I had a tilt table test last thursday and it was a bad experience. It was to confirm Neurocardio Syncope.  After 25 minutes and 2 puffs of nitro I went asystole for 8 seconds and syncopal for a minute and a half. Coming out of it was bad in that I was horribly sick, nausea, vomit, headache, dizzy, the whole lot.

Is a combination of Lopressor/celexa common for treatment?

I have a history with high stress job and PTSD from Gulf war 1.

Thanks

[AJG]

my brother was just diagnosed with neurocardiogenic syncope and had his tilt table test. He wasn't on that table 10 seconds when they started to lift it and he passed out. He had several spells previously where he thought he was just "falling asleep." He was mis-diagnosed with narcolepsy. Finally we know what is going on and realize he is not just falling asleep. The doctor told him not to drive, but did put him on some medication which he says is making him sick a couple times a day. But hey, if it stops the passing out and him hurting himself from falling, he can deal with the nauseousness.

[Sunnyshe]

My son had a tilt table test. He is 11 years old and was always dizzy and blacking out. He passed out within 11 minutes of raising the table. They did not have to give him any medication to induce this. His blood preesure dropped very low and he lost concious. This was very scary! They put him on some medicine to help his body retain sodium and said for him to drink lots of gatorade. Is this something that stays with you for the rest of your life or does it go away? Thanks for any help pr suggestions anyone has.

[CCURN]

Sounds to me like they put him on Florinef?  From what I have read and heard from others, the younger you are, the better chance you have of "growing out of it".  But....who knows??   I would suggest doing lots of research!!  Look up "dysautonomia" on your web browser and read all you can.  I am finding out that not all Drs are very informed about this disease.  (Neurocardiogenic syncope falls under the heading of dysautonomia.)  There are great support groups out there and many well informed patients who have helped me put my illness in perspective for me.  I would especially recommend the dysautonmia.homestead.com/ website.  There are links to great info and a support group.  Good luck, and tell him it IS very important for him to drink his gatorade!!!  =)