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How i died....well sort of
Former Member
Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
i went to the hospital this morning for a tilt test to find out why i've passed out a few times.
A tilt test involves strapping you to a table then tilting you from a lying to a standing position whilse monitoring your heart rate and blood pressure.
well i was about 5 minutes into the test when i passed out - least it works eh!
My blood pressure dropped to zero and my heart stopped for 17 seconds.
Of course i wasnt aware of what was happening at the time because i was unconsious. i feel like crap now though and i could barely move without feeling ill for a couple of hours afterwards.
Just thought i'd share. Tilt tests suck
A tilt test involves strapping you to a table then tilting you from a lying to a standing position whilse monitoring your heart rate and blood pressure.
well i was about 5 minutes into the test when i passed out - least it works eh!
My blood pressure dropped to zero and my heart stopped for 17 seconds.
Of course i wasnt aware of what was happening at the time because i was unconsious. i feel like crap now though and i could barely move without feeling ill for a couple of hours afterwards.
Just thought i'd share. Tilt tests suck
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It was rather scary coming to, i was stood up with 2 people in the room and next thing i know im coming to and theres about 6 people in the room and im laid down :nervous:
Glad i wont have to do it again now!
I'm still rather worried though as ive been told because my heart stopped for so long its prety serious and theres a chance i might need a pace maker. (wtf) im only 22 - surely this would make me the youngest person in history to ever have one fitted?
I'm hoping things wont come to that however and the consultant i spoke to today said it was unlikely i would need one as the 'dizzy' episodes are very rare and have only happened like twice in the last 4 years, so i guess thats a little glimmer of light
They didnt purposely let it stop i dont think, i was told that sometimes people faint during the test, sometimes they dont. the 17 seconds was from the recording, so give a second or two for them to notice i'd passed out then 15 seconds for them to lower the table back to a lying position and for them to get my blood pressure back to normal and my heart beating again - dont think they actually did anything except change my position really.
i must admit the thread title is a bit of a lie as i asked and aparently i 'didnt die'. i suppose o should have asked but i always thought that if your heart stops you are dead? maybe not.
:eek: Your heart rate/BP don't just go from perfectly normal to zilch. Presumably they could see it dropping?
So when i was put under this test my body wanted to lie flat and recover only it couldnt because it was strapped to a table so they could monitor me more.
I'm not 100% sure whats wrong tbh because i was a bit out of it when it was being explained to me. im going back next week for a consultation on what needs to be done anyway. worst case scenario - pacemaker, best case scenario - nothing except take steps to avoid it happening
People's heart's slowing (bradycardia) or stopping (known as asystole) is not so uncommon during tilt tests, particularly if it is a mechanical table which takes some time to get you back flat. We use a manual table which gets you flat much quicker and we has less incidences of asystole than other hospitals who use an automatic table.
Most patients blood pressure and / or heart rate falls slow enough that they can stop you going all the way out, but some times some patients go so fast that it is impossible to stop it even with our manual table. The longest I've seen is about 50 seconds and I think my heart stopped for about 30 of those!:eek:
Whether or not to have a pacemaker? Not such an easy question...some cardiologists will stick one in you quicker than you can say vasovagal syncope (the fancy term for your fainting) however, most of the evidence suggests that this will not actually stop you fainting. It may stop you going all the way out but you may end up with what is known as presyncope (the horrible dizziness, nausea and generally feeling crap you get just before you faint), so whereas before you might have had a bit of warning passed out and then got on with things you get the warning for a prolonged period without passing out...because the pacemaker will stop your heart rate slowing but will not stop your blood pressure falling. However, if you have had an ECG (where they stick lots of sticker on your chest) that has shown you have a conduction problem with your heart then a pacemaker could save your life....this is why I was reluctant to give too much advice without knowing everything about your medical history.
What they should have told you to do is take plenty of salt (against goverment guidelines I know - but it is fine as long as your blood pressure is OK) and increase the amount of fluids (Non-alcoholic and non-caffeinated) you have. The key issue is hydration so if you've been ill - fever, D&V you need to increase your fluids, if its hot out, if you're flying, after exercise etc. Also be careful if you're drinking alcohol because this dehydrates you and also helps the blood go into your feet. Try not to stand astill for too long and if you have to stand with your legs crossed and periodically tense and relax your leg muscles which helps get the blood back up to your heart and head.
Anyway sorry to write an epic but I hope this helps reassure you. This advice works in the majority of our patients and hopefully it will for you.
If you need any more info (although I've probably said more than enough) post your email address and I'll write off forum.
Vic
As the fainting is a very rare occurrence for me i dont think its very nessesary having a pacemaker fitted especially as one doctor reccomended it be done but another said he didnt think it would benefit me.
Thanks again its really great to actually hear from someone who knows the procedure and can offer advice on the situation :thumb:
ETA: Welcome to thesite btw
Funnily enough I was thinking of heart problems last night after watching an Episode of StarTrek - Enterprise, one of the actresses on the show was well young and had an undiagnoised heart problem and died - of course you've had warning signs so I'm sure you'll be fine..
Guess you better take care of yourself and stay away from Alton Towers.