Had Tilt test done yesterday

[Smiley2000]

Hi there.  I had my Tilt test done yesterday.  At some stages during the 60degree-position I felt that I could not breath properly, nauseas at times and lightheaded, but did not pass out.  Technologist says that it was a "negative" test.  Still waiting for EP Specialist to report, but all I could gather was that my blood pressure fluctuates between 111/70 - 74/54 and then my HR goes up and causes Palpitations and arrthythmia.  I did however get chest pain (off center, to the left, burning pain) but didn't tell anyone.  I wasn't suppose to talk or move during the test right?

Does anyone have any advice for me?  I am going to start adding salt to my diet to get my BP a little higher and I have to drink FLORINEF everyday, until I go to my Cardio again on 7 March.

I am still soooooooo fatiqued and don't think my low BP is the only problem...

please help.

[Smiley2000]

It is indeed Summer.  During May/Jun/July we do get snow in the Cape Town-area, but I live in Pretoria (Cape is about 800km from here) and our minimum will be 5 degrees.

The first time in my life that I had a snow-experience was last year June when we went to the Cape for a long weekend!  I loved it.  It was extremely cold, but so much fun!  The kids didn't know what snow was and don't realize how fortunate they were to play/see it.  Friends of ours, wife 46 and husband 50, also had there FIRST snow-experience EVER!

[firefightingmedic]

Smiley2000, I took the kids out to play last night. Today it is warmer, and the last of our snow is turning to slush. I guess it is summer in South Africa now. As far south as you are do you get cold winters?

[Smiley2000]

Hi there.  Goodness, it is weird to think you guys have snow and we are melting away!

I'll pray for you and I am sure this meds will work.  I have never passed out in my life and that is my biggest fear.  The longest pause that I've had is 3 sec.  6 is loooooooong! no wonder you pass out.  Really hoping that they have found a solution for you.

I am going to see my Cardiologist on 4 March to check up on my Valve and to have a stress ECG.  I will let you know what he said.

have a great day and enjoy the snow!

[firefightingmedic]

Smiley 2000, Thanks, I did have a great weekend! I have a 6 year old daughter, and a 10 year old son. We played in the snow all weekend! It was a good snow for sled riding,but would not pack very well to make snow men, or snow balls.

I am an unusual case. Over all I am very healthy. I exercise regurly, my job fire lieutenant/paramedic can be very demanding physicaly! I just happen to pass out every now and then!

As part of my work up I have been given three tilt tests. I have become very bradicardic(slow heart rate) during these tests with heart "pauses" of 4 and 6 seconds, and maybe longer. After each tilt test the Dr. tries out another medication on me. I hope this one works!

Your case sounds fairly straightforward. You are hypotensive (low blood pressure). The big question is what is the cause of this hypotension? Your leaky mitral valve could be the problem. Like a car with the same problem you may need a valve job!

[Smiley2000]

Hi there!  I am going to give the FLORINEF a try and I guess I'll know more once I've had my echo and stress test in 2 weeks time.  I shall keep you posted :)

Tell me a little about yourself.

have a great weekend!

[firefightingmedic]

Well smiley, I googled TEE, and learned something new!

64% is not a bad ejection fraction.

Going from a normal b.p of 120/80 to 90/70 in a little over a year is a big drop! I hope the florineg works for you. The low b.p. will cause cause all the symptoms you are having. You are not getting enough bood flow through out your body.

[Smiley2000]

Thank you for chatting to me :)

I had a TEE in April 2007 and EF was 64%.  I am going to my Cardio again 7 March.  He doesn't want to grade my leak.  I have asked him before and then he just says:  it is a prominent leak.  But that can mean anything.  According to the TEE I have mild mitral incompetence - valve calcified.

I used to have a perfect BP of 120/80, but ever since I started to show signs of MVP - Afib (Dec. 2006) my BP is always ave. 90/70 and some days even 80/60 and I am always fatiqued, muscle weakness when I exert myself, some days even SOB, dizzy.  I also wonder if my valve can be the reason for my persistent ectopic beats/miss beats.

[firefightingmedic]

It may take a while for the florinef to build up a high enough concentration to have an effect. If you are a small female 90 over 60 is not a bad b.p. IF and this is a big IF you feel well when your b.p. is that low. We are all different. A person who normaly has hypertention (high b.p.) would not be able to tolerate that low a b.p. because over time their body is use to the higher b.p.

Your leaky mitral valve could well be your main problem. As they have probably told you it is a matter of degrees. You could have a mildy leaky mitral valve that is giving you no problems, that over time gets worse and becomes a bigger problem.

Has your Dr. told you what your ejection fraction is for your heart? The leaky mitral valve could cause a low ejection fraction which would cause a low b.p., causing your problems.

[Smiley2000]

My BP went that low during the tilt-test.  I monitored myself for a few days on my mom's BP machine and during the day (regular daily routine) it is normally about 90/60.  Can my leaky/incompetent Mitral valve have anything to do with all this?  I am having that checked out 7 March.

A low BP will definitely make one feel fatiqued and dizzy.  I took FLORINEF yesterday and started adding salt to my diet (normally I don't like salty food) but I couldn't feel a difference.  I drink Vita-thon everyday and by 12h00 I am ready for bed and I go to sleep around 20h30-21h00 at night.  

[underinformed35]

What other symptoms are you having? My blood pressure is also very low. Normally it is around 100/60 but some days it is 80/50. I wonder if that is causing me to feel so fatigued all the time. It just seems like that would be a symptom of something else wrong.

[firefightingmedic]

Smiley, my understanding is that the point of the tilt test is to rule out certain problems. It sounds like your tilt test was border line. Perhaps your Dr. is concerned that your b.p. is to low for you.

B.P. of 111/70 is not bad for an healthy active person, but the 74/54 is very low. When is your b.p. that low? During your tilt test, or during your regular daily routine? Your may have orthostatic hypotension. This means your b.p. drops low when you sit up or stand up.