24 Hour heart monitor

[doctorm]

Just finished a 24 hour heart monitor with a "nothing found" result. Now waiting to see my GP for a follow up

[jennydog]

Unless you have permanent AF it seems to me that a 24hr monitor is relatively useless. You need it on for at least a week. Mine picked up AF on day 4, in the middle of the night, whilst I was asleep.

[Pam296 in reply to jennydog]

I agree! I had a 7 day monitor and it caught something on day 6.

[RichMert in reply to jennydog]

I had to demand an ECG at my doctors first thing in the morning as they had spent 3 years missing it. They agreed to carry out the ECG and I was told to relax as my pulse was sky high and the reading would not be accurate. You can imagine what I said to that.................just print it. Result, Consultant diagnosed PAF. There seems to be a severe lack of 7 day monitors in the South West, either that or they just do not have the staff to fit them.

[Bazillion in reply to RichMert]

Get a Kardia you can take an ecg any time and it saves a lot of Agro you feel more in control less stressed all helps

[jennydog in reply to RichMert]

RichMert i would always refuse a 24hr monitor as I think that it reflects a total lack of understanding of PAF. Whether it's a 24hr or 7 days monitor the fitting and removal are exactly the same.

A friend pointed out that merely having a monitor fitted resulted in a feeling of security thereby making an episode of AF less likely.

It's good to hear that you were so proactive in achieving your diagnosis.

[RichMert in reply to jennydog]

I have tried a few times since to get a 7 day monitor as I get random 6 second runs of 'something'. Can be weeks apart and because of that, I cannot get them to fit one. My argument being that once we know what ever is happening is nothing to worry about then ok but until then it is 6 seconds of panic from time to time.

[Dodie117]

Agree with Bazillion. Kardia will pick up any episodes you have and arm you with evidence for doctors. Will also be invaluable in the future helping to monitor treatments etc

[Hidden]

I agree that 24 hours is a short time span to try to pick up AF sx. If it were me and I was told nothing showed and I was fine, if I still had sx I would pursue other avenues. Just because a doctor or machine didn't find a problem doesn't mean it's nonexistent or won't continue getting worse. Just my opinion.