Hospital da Luz Setúbal has now available the Tilt-table test , a Cardiology exam also known as tilting test . This exam allows to evaluate the response of heart rate and blood pressure to the standing position – thus being useful to investigate and identify the causes of fainting and palpitation when standing up or when standing for too long. The Tilt-table test: Is performed on a tilting table. It is initiated with the table on horizontal position (with the patient lying down), being then switched to a vertical position. It is used to investigate situations such as dizziness, fainting, palpitations, sweats, alterations in vision and/or hearing when standing up or when standing for too long . It is prescribed upon medical evaluation in a Cardiology consultation. The most frequent cause of fainting is an intermittent deregulation of the cardiovascular reflexes responsible for maintaining the blood circulation: a sudden drop of blood pressure and/or heart rate, with a consequent decrease of blood perfusion in the brain and loss of consciousness. This deregulation usually occurs in the context of emotions or prolonged orthostatism (standing position), being quite rare. Some people, however, experience frequent episodes, the fainting risking to result in falls and serious physical injuries, namely fractures or cranial traumas. The Tilt-table test is useful to diagnose such cases, and it may be prescribed after orthostatic training (Tilt training) as a therapeutic measure. Schedule your appointments on MY LUZ or at hospitaldaluz.pt/setubal/pt/ .
