I went to my GP on 5th July and mentioned I had been getting dizzy spells, feeling tired all the time and breathless. Was being put down to anxiety but then the doctor detected ‘extra beats’ and confirmed it with an ECG.
Two weeks later I went back to the GP as was really struggling at work and have been signed off work for two weeks. Also found out my cardiologist referral had not gone through the systems...The GP had to do another ECG to be able to send with the new referral and sods law didn’t show the extra beats but I was quite wound up that day.
Still waiting for an appointment date with cardiology but I had a 24hour ECG monitor fitted by my GP which I got a copy of the report today.
The problem is, I don’t know what it all means and was looking for advise from others as my cardiology appointment doesn’t appear to be anytime soon.
I’ve put the results with anything detected below.
Mean heart rate: 72bpm
Maximum heart rate: 129bpm
Minimum heart rate: 37bpm
Asystole Summary
Delays over 1.7seconds: 185 (Longest interval 1.89 seconds)
Ectopic Beat Summary
Atrial ectopic: 3666 Rate 153 per hour
Written by
rosepod5
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Ok brief explanation of terms. Ectopic beats. Ectopic means out of place, so atrial ectopics occur in the worng place in the heart's normal cycle . The heart has four chambers. two left and two right. Right side pumps used blood to the lungs and returns to the left side where it is pumped round the body. Top chambers are atrials and lower are ventricles.
If the atrial beat is delayed then the ventricle has little or no blood to pump hence you feel a "missed beat". I see from your chart that you are getting 3666 ectopic beats in a 24 hour period which is higher than normal. Most people have up to 200 per day and are not aware of anything. Ectopic beats are not normally considered a problem.
Average heart rate is 72 which is spot on. "Normal rate is cocsidered between 60 and 100 at rest.
Highest reading 129bpm. Our heart rate changes according to what we are doing so this would be normal.
Lowest rate 37. This is on the low side and needs to be investigated unless you are an athlete who trians hard. Most people would find that their heart rate falls whilst asleep but 37 is low.
Delays. on 185 occasions your heart beats were further apart than 1.7 seconds and the longest pause waas 1.89seconds.
It is important not to get too worrried about these sort of results but should you ever feel faint or dizzy during any of these occasions or actually pass out I would suggest that you seek medical attention. This also goes for any chest pain which needs investigation.
Thank you so much for the explanation and advise, it is really appreciated.
A copy of the report was given to me so I could take it to my referral when it comes. However, as I expect to be having a further lengthy wait before even getting an appointment with Cardiology, it left me with a lot of unknown answers and anxiety.
Your right, the lowest rate 37bpm was when I was sleeping about 04:00-08:00am but I am in no way an athlete.
What is making me feel worse is that I am currently signed off work due to the tiredness, breathless and dizzy episodes. But the ectopic beats could just turn out to be normal and have to live with it, which then makes it look to my employers that there was nothing wrong with me.
I've been battling with the same for years and still I'm no further forward, current wait time to see the Electrophysiologist is a ridiculous 5 months, I'm slowly becoming housebound with all the episodes of pre syncope ☹️
As Bob says you are having far more ectopics than normal, your heart is beating too slowly at times even though while asleep, up to 129 seems a bit fast for normal activity and crucially your circulation is being affected so I can't see you being expected to 'live with it' unless all efforts to sort it have failed. Best wishes 💞
Have you had your blood pressure checked? Low blood pressure can make you feel dizzy. Also blood tests for anaemia and blood sugar as that can affect your heartbeat as can caffeine and alcohol. Try not to worry as I'm sure it will get sorted and with the right medication and lifestyle you will be fine.
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