Further to my post on loop recorder.

[speedywiz]

Hi friends, The procedure to implant the loop recorder in my chest went well today. Along with two other patients we were shown how to use the recording device. We asked a number of questions but as always there is one important one I forgot to ask. I would appreciate it if some of you who might have had the same procedure might be able to answer this for me.

Basically I have been told to use the activator when I am experiencing an event. This then records one minute of heart activity.

At 5.45pm I was experiencing an erratic heart beat with one missed beat following two beats. I recorded this using the activator.

I am still experiencing the erratic beat but I'm unsure whether I should continue making recordings, bearing in mind the device only records four episodes.

I think that maybe I should continue recording & then submit the recording to the hospital via the monitor & send as many episodes as necessary throughout the day or night.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[CaroleF]

I have a loop recorder but have never had cause to use the little hand held device, so can't offer much help I'm afraid. If I were in your position I'd phone the cardiac unit where the loop recorder was inserted to ask for advice/what they want you to do. In the meantime I'd make a pen and paper record of the times and types of arrhythmia you are experiencing.

It may well be that your device is not the same as mine, but doesn't the data from your inserted device automatically get transmitted every night from the base unit?

PS Edited to say ..... just seen from your earlier post that you are being treated at RUH Bath. Me too! I have found the techies at RUH helpful in answering any questions over the phone when I had a problem initially with transmitting data.

[speedywiz in reply to CaroleF]

Hi CaroleF, yes the information gets sent overnight although I have been told to use the activator to record events on the loop recorder & then using the monitor upload that information to the box. Although I think the information gets sent automatically overnight I was told to phone the RUH each time I had an episode & they would then ask me to manually upload the information to them. I did manage to speak to someone this morning but they seemed a bit vague about the detail. I will as you suggest keep a paper record so that I can tell them about each episode in detail.

[daveeb]

I've had an ILR for nearly 3 years. The monitor records all the time, and the activater is used to put a marker on it when there's any pain or some other episode. The results are sent via the transmitter either after a noticeable episode or, for me anyway, at a 3 monthly basis.

[speedywiz in reply to daveeb]

Thank you daveeb, that was where I was confused. I wasn't sure whether the monitor was permanently or only when I used the activator. Now I understand that the activator is only to put a marker in place it makes far more sense.