Seven day tape

[Lisajack1]

Recently diagnosed with AF have to go for seven day tape and echocardiogram. Anyone know what the logistics of the tape involve? Thanks

[Goldfish_]

Just having a small device attached to your chest. It's only matchbox size and can be taken off at night if it annoys you. It alarms at times and may beep. Getting the result may take months though!

[Rellim296 in reply to Goldfish_]

Taken off? Surely there's potential information available through the night? I could only take mine off twice in the seven days and just for a shower. That included the adhesive stickers - I was given two sets of replacements. I was in no doubt as to where to replace them as after two days the skin was already quite red and itchy. I had to adjust slightly second time.

There must be more than one type. Actually I know there is because there have been reports on the forum of a tiny all singing and all dancing variety that sounds less obtrusive than mine was. I was issued with a sort of Manx octopus that took some concealing and it wasn't the size of a matchbox and it didn't make any noises. And it was itchy. This was a while ago. Hopefully these are being phased out!

You can ask for sensitive stickers, Lisajack1 and I would do so because I did so when I had a 48 hour monitor last year and found these quite itchy enough.

You may need to keep a diary of your activities. You will have to take the gadget back after the appointed length of time. You can probably detach it at home and anyone can just hand it in at the hospital.

The echocardiogram takes a little bit of time. 20 minutes? You will probably get an instruction sheet.

These are both standard tests and can provide very useful information. They are to inform the consultant rather than you and if you want to be included ask for copies of the results as you may otherwise be overlooked.

[seasider18 in reply to Goldfish_]

My longer pauses between beats were mainly during the night and were the main reason for getting a pacemaker.

I was always unsure of what constituted an incident to press the button for and make a diary entry.

My wife had an orgasm when wearing her three day one but did not press the button or record it on her sheet

[Hidden]

Have to say that I didn't find the seven day tape a problem at all apart from skin irritation from the adhesive used as the days wore on and afterwards.

I was having a great deal if problems with flutter when I had my last tape but it was brought to my EP s attention immediately and I had a dc cardioversion in days.

[BobD Volunteer]

If it is the type most people get it is three sticky pads on your chest attached to a small box by wires. It is important to keep in on 24 hours a day so that any events are recorded as many people have AF whilst asleep that they are not aware of. (You can unplug it for showering but no laying in the the bath.) Some have an event button which you can press if you feel any symptoms. You should also have a diary sheet to complete which lists times, your activities and any symptoms.

There are different type and makes so there may be variations but that is the basics. With mine I had to dial a number at the hospital each night and hold the box to the phone and download the info so that when I went back they already had the report written up but that was a few years ago and no doubt memory cards have improved so you will have to wait a week or so for your report. Also I wore my first one for 14 days although subsequent ones have been as little as 48 hours. You soon get used to it.

Echocardiogram is just an ultra sound scan of your heart.

Bob

Forgot to mention you must ask for a copy to be sent to you as is your right.

[PeterWh in reply to BobD]

Most newer Ines connect over wifi or your local network.

[Dodie117]

I was told to make sure covered up when out or on tube, bus or people might think i was a suicide bomber if they saw wires hanging out!!

[Hidden]

I had one for seven days once, and it caught my AF which was very sporadic at the time. I had to record the time shown on the box (not my watch in case it was different) when I felt as though I had AF. My records agreed with the data and I had an ablation arranged on the basis of the recordings 😀.

I kept it on all the time and washed myself by hand.

Koll

[Hidden]

You also need to keep a diary - date and time - of anything that you were doing whilst wearing the recorder so that this can be checked against the trace. I once did a Spin class wearing a recorder and the trace was something to behold, but the diary explained it. I have a suspicion that my r-r interval - signalled a heart issue before my stroke but, that would need drilling down through the professionally measured data to se it.

I'm due to have another seven day recorder but it will be interesting as I must not take Dronedarone or Amiodarone.