Tilt test

Tilt test explained

What is a tilt test?

A tilt test, also known as a tilt table test, is a procedure where the position of your body is changed whilst you lay on a special bed. This helps doctors to find the cause of dizziness and other fainting symptoms.  

A tilt test can help to find the cause of your symptoms under controlled, safe conditions.

Your heart rate and blood pressure are monitored during the test, and any changes are recorded. This information can help doctors find out why you’re having these symptoms.

Even if your test is negative, or does not show anything, the information collected can be useful for other tests and treatments.

Preparing for a tilt test

How can I prepare for the tilt test?

• Your doctor will let you know if you need to avoid food for a short time before the test.
• If possible, ask someone to come with you for the test, so they can help you get home if you feel unwell afterwards.

Make sure the doctor or cardiac physiologist doing your test knows about any pre-existing conditions you may have before the test, such as:

• heart failure
• poor circulation
• blocked arteries
• cardiomyopathy
• stroke.

During a tilt test

What happens during a tilt test?

The tilt test is done in a quiet, dark room to help you relax.

Before the tilt test: 

1. Electrodes (sticky patches) are attached to your chest and connected to a machine that monitors your heartbeat.
2. A blood pressure monitor will be attached to your arm. 
3. You’ll be asked to lie down flat for five minutes on a special bed that is able to tilt. You’ll be strapped to the bed to stop you from falling.

During the test:

1. Your bed will be slowly tilted upwards to around 60 to 90 degrees, so that you’re nearly stood upright. This will continue for up to 20 minutes, or until you feel dizzy or faint and show a change in your heart rate or blood pressure . If you feel unwell, the healthcare team will look after you.
2. If you are still feeling well, you may be given a glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray under your tongue and tilted for another 15 minutes. This can help to recreate your symptoms by making your heart rate a little faster and your blood pressure a little lower.
3. At the end of the test, you’ll be allowed to sit up and given a glass of water before you’re ready to go home again. 

The appointment can last between one to two hours, but you will only be in a tilted position for 15 - 45 minutes of that time. 

You can ask for the test to stop at any time if you feel you do not want to continue for any reason. Make sure you tell your healthcare professional if you feel unwell at any stage of the test.

Your doctor will let you know when your results are ready.

Recovery

What if I get a positive or negative result on my tilt test?

The results look at what happens to your blood pressure and heart rate during the test, and if you fainted or had any symptoms.

• If your blood pressure drops and heart rate changes, causing you to feel dizzy or faint, this is a positive result.
• If your heart rate raises just a little, your blood pressure does not drop much, and there are no symptoms of feeling faint, you’ll be given a negative result.

Your healthcare professional will either be able to diagnose you or send you for more tests based on how you reacted to the test.

Get support

• Speak to our cardiac nurses by phone, callback, email or online chat on Heart Helpline (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
• Sign up to our Heart Matters magazine for online tips, support and recipes to look after your heart health.
• Join our online HealthUnlocked community to speak to other people going through the same experience.