Tilt table test

When the tilt table test is performed and you flat line, what exactly does that mean? All other tests, Holter, Echo, EKG were within normal limits.
Thanks for info.

2 Comments

It means

by Theknotguy - 2013-12-31 09:12:29

It means you'd better get either an ICD or a PM and FAST!

Don't mess around! Work with your cardiologist and get taken care of ASAP.

Having a PM and being alive is a lot better than being dead.

Let us on the forum know how it goes.

Theknotguy

What A Flat Line Means

by SMITTY - 2013-12-31 11:12:18


Hello,

To be very blunt, a flat line that goes on for even a short time means death. Now let's be less blunt and try to explain that a little better. In doing this if I insult your intelligence, I apologize now.

I'm sure you have seen an EKG tracing so let's start with what a heart beat on that EKG looks like. On an EKG of a normal heart beat you will see the line that represents the heart beat being a straight line then it starts going up at abut a 45 degree angle until it reaches a peak then comes back down to the level from which it started. That peak is the result of the electrical activity generated by heart beating A flat line occurs when there is no electrical activity by the heart. In other words, during a flat line the heart is not beating for short periods of a few seconds. There are several different tests during which this can happen, but the heart being tough as nails, as soon as whatever is interrupting its normal activity is removed it will go back to beating and drawing a line that consists of the peaks and valleys.

In other words without the peaks and valleys being drawn during the time a person is getting an EKG tracing they will not be alive very long. However we do not have to fear the straight line during the various tests because the dr. and/or nurse will have at hand an apparatus that will restart the heart to beating in the event of a straight line.

It most cases it is well known during a particular test procedure that a straight may occur and the doctor will be prepared in the event one does happen. What the EKG tracing shows prior to that straight line may also give the dr. diagnostic information from which he can determine the best treatment method(s) for the patient.

And it goes on and on from there.

Smitty

You know you're wired when...

You always have something close to your heart.

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