Tilt Table

The Tilt table test is a test used to diagnose dysautonomia and other causes of syncope (or passing out). An IV will be started in your arm. A heart and blood pressure monitor will be placed on you. You will be placed flat on a special table, safety straps will be placed across legs, abdomen and chest, and tilted in a standing position at a 65-degree angle for possibly 60 minutes. A recording of your heart beat and blood pressure will be taken every two minutes during the test.

Near fainting, fainting or passing out spells

Wear two-piece clothing. Nothing to eat or drink eight hours before test. If you are a diabetic on Insulin, take half of your usual dose of morning Insulin and bring a snack to eat after the test. Take your medications with small sips of water with the exception of the following medications:

Midodrine, Florinef, Beat Blockers (Atenolol, Tenormin, Inderal, Propranolol, Toprol, Metoprolol, Lopressor, Sectral Acebutolol, Pindolol, Visken, Sotalol, Betapace, Corgard, Nadolol, Coreg, Carvedilol, Normodyne, Labetalol, Trandate, Levatol, Penbutolol, Kerlone, Betaxolol, Zebeta, Ziac) and Calcium Channel Blockers (Dilacor, Cardizem, Tiazac, Diltiazem, Diltia, Cartia, Taztia, Verelan, Verapamil, Calan, Isoptin, Covera, Norvasc, Amlodipine, Procardia, Plendil, Felodipine, Dynacirc, Cardene, Nicardipine, Adalat, Procardia, Nifedipine, Sular, Nisoldipine)

Please HOLD them three days prior to your test. If you are on one of these medications for elevated blood pressure, let your primary care physician know in order for him/her to put you on a replacement blood pressure medication. If you are taking Zoloft or any other anti-depressant, please call your primary care physician and ask if you can hold it the day of the procedure. If you are unsure if your medications fall into these classifications, please call our office and ask to speak to Dr. Lewis’s nurse (1-205-752-0694).

You are expected to stand up to 60 minutes.

Fainting or passing out, abnormal rhythm

Bring someone with you to drive for you if you pass out.

If you have an abnormal test, the doctor or nurse will give you further instructions.