Nanfranz again, two months after my first Kardia post, and a few weeks after receiving the Kardia I ordered. I have paroxysmal afib, and now almost-constant ectopics. PVCs, PACs, and supra-ventricular tachycardia -- these three show up on y medical record (after monitoring) but not sure I can tell the difference between these three ectopics. Still wishing that the Kardia would indicate the difference between ectopics and afib. Even when ectopics are occurring every third beat, along with a nasty fluttering sensation which leaves me short-of-breath and lightheaded, Kardia reports that there are "no abnormalities". At these times I have to wonder if the Kardia is malfunctioning. The ECG shows dramatic spikes and dips and wiggles all over the place , which is no surprise to me considering what's going on my chest, but still I'm told that all is "normal". Twice I've had a "possible atrial fibrillation" result, and while I admit I can tell the difference in the appearance readout, I still don't understand how the ectopics, wild as they are, can be shrugged off as "normal."
I've been on 50mg Flecainide twice a day, which has controlled the ectopics quite well until now, but now after two or three hours they start up again. Knowing from experience the side effects of the Flecainide I hate to increase the dosage (as suggested by cardiologist). The main question is . . . might the fact that the persistent ectopics are not identified by the Kardia mean that there is something amiss with the machine itself?
Any thoughts from you helpful people will be very appreciated! Thanks!
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There is a very good breathing exercise which can drastically reduce ectopics. Search Breathing exercise for ectopics at top right.
Since ectopics are a normal heart function even for people with no arrhythmia I suspect this is why Kardia does not flag them up.. I do understnad how distressing they can be hence my advice re the exercise.
Thank you, Bob! Have been working on the breathing! It helps sometimes and for that I'm grateful. I need more practice, to be sure.
If it's any help to you i recently had an Unclassified reading at just 94bpm which when analysed came back as Multiple atrial ectopics , normal rhythm.. My AF had been classified as straight Atrial Fibrillation.
Yes, Sandra, that's a help to me. Thanks so much! I'm thinking that I ought to pay for an analysis at a time when what is going on feels like more than just a run of ectopics. Because of nasty side effects of Flecainide, I long to use it as a PIP only, but until I'm 100% certain of when I'm experiencing short spells of afib and when it's just ectopics . . . well, I dare not mess with the dosage.
Hi only thing I can suggest is to ask for a report analysis by U K EP. Only cost five dollars and result in 24 hours. If you click on Full Report it will confirm whether you have any ectopics on the ECG. Will also reassure you with the QRS which indicates the ventricles are holding up and within normal limits.
Problem with this condition is stress and anxiety can play a big part so try some de-stressing techniques.
"dramatic spikes and dips and wiggles all over the place"! I admit that the Kardia device is rather prone to this, I get the same problem. Often I find that it is difficult to maintain a constant steady connection to the two pads on the device, and any variations will cause the the trace to jump around. Also, since it is measuring tiny, tiny electrical impulses from your heart down both arms, and muscles are operated by electrical activity in the nerves, any bodily movement during a scan will interfere with the trace as well.
For best results I find that I should be sat relaxed at a table to rest my arms on, and lick the first two fingers of each hand before starting, to improve the connection. The automatic reporting of abnormalities can be off, but there is a good method of education in interpreting the traces, on their web site.
Momist -- I appreciate your suggestion! While I do sit at my desk, arms resting on the surface, fingers still while taking the reading . . . I hadn't thought of licking the fingers for better contact. Definitely worth a try -- thanks very much! Also, thanks for pointing out that the Kardia website has useful instruction for the user!
I have been using a Kardia for six months now. I have requested at least seven EP analysis reports. So far they provided full reports diagnosing A/fib, A/flutter, complex narrow tachycardia and simple tachycardia. Have also requested reports for my Son and Grandson as Guests. My son was diagnosed with sinus bradycardia and my Grandson with sinus tachycardia. The report also includes rate of ectopics, atrial and ventricular together with a QRS measurement to let you know whether the ventricle is holding up ok. A report costs 5 dollars.
They also advise whether you are stable or need to seek medical advice stat.
So it actually offers a lot more than just A/fib diagnosis.
Yes. Didn’t take me long to work out that unclassified meant I was in flutter ! Nevertheless my EP found them really helpful when I mailed some results to him and helped with decisions for way forward.
Thank you, Lee! That's very encouraging -- so glad you posted this! I now plan to order a full report (though my Kardia shows the Premium service at $9.99 monthly or $99.00 annually)
Basically there are four hallmarks of the atrial fibrillation:
- arrhythmia (uneven heart rhythm)
- tachycardia (It might be low. In my case my heart rates goes up from resting 60 bpm to 80-90 bpm, but the typical heart rate of typical afibbers is higher or even much more higher)
- lack of P waves
- plethora of small f waves, mimicking a trembling baseline
In simple case these hallmarks are so clear cut, that even an experienced afiber her or himself can identify it and choose the right ECG segment for presenting to the cardiologist
If not all the four hallmarks are displayed even cardiologist will say, that this is only a suspected afib.
Why can’t be evaluated sometime the ECG strip:
- Very often the problem is technical. Noise or motional artifacts. That’s why it is important to have as quit circumstances as possible
.
- Presence of atrial and ventricular ectopics (plus branch related problems). The best way to overcame this problem to analyze ectopics free segments of a longer record
.
- Finally the heart rate might be too high, so it is not clear what’s going on between two R waves. The problem could be solved only in hospital, where after appropriate medication the heart slows down. Some times yoga relaxation or early morning measurement, right after the awakening (still in bed) may help to catch a lower heart rate segment of afib.
I recently had an episode of what I think was bigeminy, two ectopics followed by a pause, sinus beat, repeat. Kardia rated it as 'Unclassified' which indicates something is wrong but not AF. I notice now that if there is a lot of interference you are notified which is a big improvement as it is very annoying to pay for an analysis which comes back as 'Excess interference'! Presumably ectopics at the rate you describe come within the normal range, though very disturbing if you can feel them 😬
Thanks for replying, Buffafly. Yes, when I sat at my computer desk, where a number of electronics are plugged in, Kardia told me there was too much interference so move to n area. Since then I sit at my regular desk and all is well.
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