Heart rate and blood pressure patterns observed in head-up tilt table testing

Shown are the heart rate and blood pressure responses seen during tilt table testing in patients with various etiologies of syncope including classic neurocardiogenic syncope, pure autonomic failure, or POTS. After a period of supine monitoring, at the time marked "Tilt" on the x-axis, the table on which the patient is lying is swung up so that the end supporting the patient's head is tilted above horizontal (eg, by 60 or 70 degrees). After the period of head-up tilt (which is shortened if the patient experiences loss of consciousness), the head is lowered to the horizontal position.