stand testing - active and passive
9th April 2023 | Boon Lim & Philip Eardley
Stand Test – How to do it and how it can help.
The stand test is a simple test which can be performed at home to guide your doctors to make a diagnosis of orthostatic intolerance and/or autonomic dysfunction (dysautonomia).
In this short article, we write about what is needed for a stand test, and how to perform it, and to record the data which may be useful for you and your doctor.
There are 2 types of stand testing: An active stand is where you stand up unsupported, and a passive stand (sometimes termed the NASA lean test) is an alternative protocol where you lean against a wall to record your symptoms, heart rate and blood pressure changes.
A Stand Test – How to do it and how it can help.
Thestand test is a simple test which can be performed at home to guide your doctors to make a diagnosis of orthostatic intolerance and/or autonomic dysfunction (dysautonomia).
In this short article, we write about what is needed for an active stand test, and how to perform it, and to record the data which may be useful for you and your doctor. In an active stand test, you are standing up straight for several minutes to have your symptoms, blood pressure and pulse rate recorded. In a NASA Lean test (a passive stand test), which you may prefer to do, you can stand up and rest your back (shoulder blades), head and buttocks against a wall, with your feet 6-8 iches away from the wall, ensuring your back and head are straight.
What you will need:
1. A blood pressure automated machine with an upper-arm cuff (examples could be brands such as Omron M2 – M5 series, or AND series of BP machines. For a complete list of validated BP machines, please check out: https://stridebp.org/bp-monitors
2. A pen and paper (ideally a printout of our attached PDF/Excel sheet) which you can fill in and take to your doctor
3. Ideally a friend/family member who can record your readings of Blood Pressure and Heart Rate and Symptoms.
4. A quiet room, where you will not be disturbed for 10 minutes.
5. A chair
6. If performing a NASA lean test, then a clear wall which you can lean on.
Additional Resources
You can download either an excel spreadsheet, or a printable PDF document, to fill in these data.
Active Stand Template (LINK TO THE EXCEL DOCUMENT)
Active Stand Template PDF (LINK TO PDF DOCUMENT)
How to Perform the Active Stand Test
Please watch this short video to learn how to record your BP during an active stand.
