1. Community
  2. Heart Health
  3. Cardiovascular Disorders

Positive test result and I'm terrified! Has anyone here failed the tilt table test testing positive?

Posted , 6 users are following.

jodie77731
jodie77731

've been undergoing all sorts of testing since January 13 to find out why I am so dizzy/lightheaded. GP has sent me to three specialists at the same time, a Nero-otologist, cardiologist, and a Gastrow intestinal doctor as he was not sure where the dizziness was coming from. With Nero I have a VNG and ECOG test next Wednesday the 8th and I have an endoscopy scheduled with Gastro on the 17th... But yesterday with the cardiologist I had a tilt table test... And I tested positive! I am terrified! My follow-up appointment with cardiology isn't until the 15th, after the test at the hospital they told me I was positive because my blood pressure and my heart rate dropped dramatically when they gave me nitroglycerin at 70° tilt... I Did not pass out... I have never passed out... but I've never felt so ill in my life I thought I would die! I see posted all over here that people have been through cardiology testing to rule out that as a cause, so has anyone of you failed the tilt table test or gotten a positive result from it? I did fine the first part of the test where they do it without any medicine ... was not dizzy or lightheaded at all... But the second part of the test where they give you the nitroglycerin certainly had a very bad effect on me... Now I do not know if I should keep my appointment the 8th with the Nuero... But my ears are still ringing and full so I still feel that is where my dizziness is coming from... But with this positive test on the tilt table I am just terrified...

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • jacqui1162
    jacqui1162 jodie77731

    Posted

    I had the nitroglycerin before I had a scan and this caused me to go into bradicardia which was very scary. I would go and see your GPS and explain what happened and hopefully he / she can reassure you. Do keep your appointments though if the go advises you to. Good luck
    • jodie77731
      jodie77731 jacqui1162

      Posted

      Hi Jacqui! Thanks for sharing your experience with nitro! Were you on tilt test? What did your doc say about your response to the nitro? Bradicardia is what they said of me too!!! ... It caused low blood pressure and low heart rate they said. I did not pass out tho... Felt so awful! I did call my cardio's nurse and she reassured me that it doesn't mean a heart prob unless other heart tests (ecg, holter, echo) show a prob too... Have only echo left on Tues then meet with cardiologist on 15th. Nurse said if all other heart tests are fine then means it's nerves and mention vagus nerve and advised me to keep my appt with neuro the 8th. So will do that. Hopeful for a treatable diagnosis for us all!!!
  • jacqui1162
    jacqui1162 jodie77731

    Posted

    Hi. My reaction was because they needed to slow my heart rate a little so I could have a angiogram but they couldn't go ahead with it at the time so I am now waiting for my appointment for a second go. I hope you get good news when you have your echo
  • kristy14773
    kristy14773 jodie77731

    Posted

    Hi my name is Kris and just had a positive tilt table test. Without any medication I passed out at ten minutes. I was fine laying flat and then they killed the table fully upright and I was fine for about eight or nine minutes. Initially my heart rate raise 220 bpm and then within a minute my blood pressure and heart rate dropped. My heart rate when I passed out was 50 am I systolic blood pressure was 72. They sternal rub me and layed me back flat and I woke up within seconds of being flat. My history is having dizzy episodes that are unexplained. I'm not sure what this means and I'm scared as well.

  • iqbal_45667
    iqbal_45667 jodie77731

    Posted

    Mr jodie, my story is some what similar to you. I have no heart problem but I do get checked up occasionally. This time a senior Cardiologist advised me to get Echo, Thalium Scan and Tilt done. My First two tests were alright with no problem. Earlier I never heard about TILT test. When I went for the Test the Nurse asked me if I had ever fainted or fallen due to dizziness. My answer was no. When the test started, I was OK for next 35 mins or so, then the Nurse gave me an Angised Tablet NTG to be placed under my tongue. After 2 mins of taking NTG, I felt very minor sweating on the ears / very minor dizziness. My Systolic BP dropped from 138 before NTG to 81 two mins after I took NTG. Heart rate before NTG 87 went up to 110 two mins after NTG when I felt slight dizziness. So with this I was declared positive and was advised to do an exercise at home (standing with wall without moving legs (from knee downwards) for 20 mins initially daily and then gradually going upto 30 mins for next 3 months. The Doc said that I had a tendency to get this problem hence better to regularly do the exercises. I am doing these exercises staring from 10 mins daily but it is also uncomfortable to stand without moving the legs.
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.