Pre-test Instructions
If you are entitled to ambulance transport to the hospital, please telephone 08000 323 240 to book your transport. Please eat a very light snack and have a drink 4 hours prior to your test and then have nothing to eat or drink after this.
You will be in the department for up to 1½ hours. Can you please bring someone with you and advise that they will have to wait for you until you are ready to go home. Please wear loose-sleeved clothing.
What is a Tilt Test?
A tilt test is performed to assess symptoms e.g. dizziness or blackouts, in relation to blood pressure and heart rate response. It involves lying on a special tilt table that is tilted to 60° into a standing up position whilst your blood pressure and heart rate are being continuously monitored. You will remain standing in this position for a maximum of 45 minutes, but if symptoms occur you may be returned to the horizontal position sooner.
You may also be given a drug during the 45 minutes that may provoke your symptoms, but this will depend upon your consultant’s discretion. Some patients may require a drug or fluids if their heart rate or blood pressure drops too low during the test. For this purpose a venflon (needle) will be placed into a vein in your arm at the start of the test.
This test will provide information to help your doctor determine the cause of your symptoms that may require treatment.
The risks are minimal, the test is regularly performed in this hospital under controlled conditions. You may experience your normal symptoms such as dizziness or blackouts which usually pass quickly once the table is returned to the horizontal position. There is also a very small chance of having a stroke.
You will be offered a drink before you leave the hospital. If you are feeling dizzy after the test we recommend that you do not drive until the following day.
Test results will not be available on the day.
• You will either see a member of your consultant’s team in the outpatient clinic at a later date.
• Or your GP may receive a letter from the consultant about 4–5 weeks after the test.
• However, you will be contacted sooner if necessary.
