Upright Tilt Table Test

What is an upright tilt table test?

An upright tilt table test at Piedmont Healthcare is designed for people who have unexplained passing out or near passing out episodes. Sometimes these episodes are due to a response in the brain that causes an increase or decrease in heart rate and/or a drop in blood pressure while in an upright position. An upright tilt table test tries to recreate the passing out symptoms in a safe setting with a physician and nurses present.

You will have an IV inserted in your hand or arm prior to the test. You will be placed on a specially designed table, and your heart and blood pressure will be monitored by machine. With the physician present, the table will be tilted to an upright position. At no time during the test will you be tilted upside down, nor will the table spin around.

If you do not have any symptoms in the first stage of the test, you may be given a medication in your IV called Isuprel, which increases the heart rate similar to your natural adrenaline. You will be asked frequently during the test how you are feeling. If you begin to feel dizzy or like you are going to pass out, safety straps on the table will prevent you from falling.