P waves...... And question for @Bobd

[Sugarlump]

Am sure this is is silly question, but having read AF can be determined by the absence of P waves..... Do they return once back in NSR or AF makes the P waves go on holibobs permanently ?

Also @Bobd I read on one of your posts somewhere ( yes I need to perhaps address a memory man ) you said, regarding an ECG ( Holter ?) that we only look at the third /bottom reading? If I remembered that correctly can I ask why ?

Yes, I am fast chasing and catching up with this mongrel and intend beating with a big stick when I have caught up with it !

[Finvola]

Sugarlump - P waves show up again once you are back in normal sinus rhythm.

[Sugarlump in reply to Finvola]

Thank you Finvola

[BobD Volunteer]

Hi there Sugarlump, as Finvola says P waves are there in normal synus rhythm. What I meant about the bottom line is that is all you need to look at to see AF. There are lots of things on the other lines which an expert can decypher (I'm not) but AF presents as a chaotic and irregular bottom line with no sign of the P wave which is the little blip before the big spike (T wave) . Out of interest if the spike goes down wards rather than up it is an ectopic beat hence the expression flipped Ts.

My advice is not to try and understand these things as a little knowledge is a dangerous thing and it takes years to fully understand an ECG. Many GPs and quite a few consultants sometimes get it wrong especially if they rely on the computer driven analysis. There was a recent link on here to an article by a specialist about that very subject and my mentor told me years ago never to rely on the machine diagnosis.

You are to be commended for getting Holter right (not halter). This refers to a portable device for taking ECGs on a continuous loop when attempting to get proof of AF over 24 hours or longer. I had one for 14 days when I started my AF journey. Many people find the mere sight of a Holter monitor is enough to ensure that they stay in NSR until approximately fifteen minutes after it has been taken back. lol

Bob

[Sugarlump]

Haha ! I was lucky. My AF clearly was a show off, demonstrative right from the start. Without the monitor report I fear I would still be flailing about in some doctors surgery somewhere....

Since then it kindly reared it's head at every available opportunity. During failed 24 BP attempt, cardiogram and CT angiogram last Friday.

I guess I should feel lucky lol

[BobD Volunteer]

Sorry , out of my experience there so would not like to comment.

[Loo61]

Agree with ectopics it's difficult to see if the P wave is there or not. I have to peer at my monitor everyday and some days can't see it but I'm not in AF. Spoke to the Trials Nurse about this she told me she went on a course to learn how to read ECGs and even she can't decipher them so she told me not to even try and leave it to the experts...