Tilt Table Examination

Tilt table examination is one of many different tests your cardiologist my suggest in an effort to get to the bottom of your heart-related health issues. Specifically, if you have recently fainted without a known reason, or you have been dealing with repeated bouts of dizziness, a tilt table test may be called for. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment to speak with a cardiologist about your health, please contact Beverly Hills Cardiovascular today.

Signs of Trouble

Getting help from a cardiologist is an important step if you suspect there are issues with the health of your heart. But here’s the thing – you aren’t going to have a cardiologist with you on a day to day basis as you go throughout life. So, it will always be up to you to pay attention to your health and report symptoms or issues that give you cause for concern. Even if you don’t know what the underlying condition may be, it’s important to seek professional help if you are worried.

In the case of a tilt table examination, the first step typically involves a patient who has noticed concerning issues with his or her health. For one thing, if you have had one or more episodes of unexplained fainting, it might be determined that a tilt table examination is necessary to figure out what is going on. Fainting is a rather dramatic event, but it doesn’t even need to be that significant to trigger a closer look. For instance, if you are simply lightheaded often after you stand from a sitting or lying position, that issue could be an indication of something more significant.

Goal of Replicating Symptoms

One challenge that frequently gives doctors trouble is the issue of replicating patient symptoms in a way that can be observed and measured. In this case, it might be a patient who is reporting persistent lightheadedness when standing up. That’s troubling, but what is causing the issue? Without being able to replicate the issue in the presence of the doctor, it might be hard to evaluate the matter and make treatment recommendations.

This is where the tilt table examination comes into the picture. With this exam, the patient will be placed flat on the table for a period of time. Then, the table will be moved into a mostly vertical position, similar to what would happen when the person stands up. In this way, the doctor can attempt to replicate the patient’s real world experiences right there in the office. And, since the patient is being monitored and evaluated the whole time, and accurate diagnosis and treatment plan could be the end result. In some cases, the patient will actually faint – or nearly faint – as a result of the test. In that circumstance, the patient will be returned to the flat position. In the aftermath of the exam, your doctor can work with you to discuss any findings and make a plan for what the next steps should be.

Ready to Assist

Tilt table examination is just one of many services we provide at Beverly Hills Cardiovascular. Whether this exam or another approach is right for your needs will depend on a variety of factors, so contact our office right away to make your first appointment with Dr. David Filsoof. Some of the other services we provide include nutrition assessment and weight management, echocardiography, Holter monitor, and more. Thank you for visiting and we are excited to serve you!