Knowledgeable Patients Ignore Chest Pain

Oct. 7, 2009 — When it comes to seeking treatment for chest pain, education doesn’t always mean people do the right thing.

In a new study, heart patients who received counseling about heart attack symptoms and when to get treatment were no more likely to get immediate care than those who had not received counseling. This is disappointing because patients who receive care within 90 minutes after the onset of heart attack symptoms fare much better.

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Heart Disease and the Head-Up Tilt Table Test
The head-up tilt table test is a way to find the cause of fainting spells. The test involves lying quietly on a bed and being tilted at different angles (30 to 60 degrees) for a period of time while various machines monitor your blood pressure, electrical impulses in your heart, and your oxygen level.
The head-up tilt table test is performed in a special room called the EP (electrophysiology) lab.

How Should I Prepare for the Head-Up Tilt Table Test?

If you’re scheduled for a head-up tilt table test, you should:
  • Take all your medications as prescribed.
  • Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the evening before your test. If you must take medications, drink only small sips of water to help you swallow your pills.
  • When you come for your test, bring with you a list of all your current medications, including the dose.
  • When you come to the hospital, wear comfortable clothes. It is best not to wear any jewelry or bring valuables.
  • Plan to have someone drive you home after the test.
  • If you have diabetes, ask for specific instructions on taking your medications and eating/drinking before the procedure.
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