You may be asked not to eat or drink for 2-4 hours before the test. Take any medication as usual, unless your doctor tells you not to. Wear comfortable clothes.

Electrode patches will be placed on your chest, legs, and arms. These patches connect you to an electrocardiogram (ECG). This is a device that monitors your heart rate. Next, a blood pressure cuff will be placed on your arm to monitor your blood pressure. An IV will be placed into a vein in your arm or the back of your hand. This will allow the doctor to take a blood sample and to deliver medication if needed.

You will be asked to lie flat on a table. Safety straps will secure you. The table will be raised slowly until it is in an upright position. This change in position mimics the change from lying down to standing up. You may stay in this position for 5-45 minutes. This depends on the reason for the test.

During this change in position, the doctor will monitor your blood pressure and heart rate. While upright, you will need to stay as still as possible. A nurse or doctor will ask you how you feel throughout the test. You may faint during the test or feel like you are going to faint. If this happens, the table will be returned to the horizontal position. If you do not pass out, you may be given a medication that can aid with the diagnosis.

You will be able to go home after the test. You should be able to resume your usual activities.

About 90 minutes.

During the test, you may feel sick or lightheaded. You may also feel that your heart is racing as if you were about to pass out. If so, tell your doctor. You may feel some discomfort where the IV is placed in your arm.

You should get the results the day of the test. The results will help show the condition that has caused the fainting. Other tests may needed to help with the diagnosis also.