Results of my 7-day holter monitor

[Padayn01]

Hi all

Got my results through

Does this mean no further investigation?

Didn’t even tell me if they are discharging me or what next

[BobD Volunteer]

It is very tiny on my screen but I think it says NSR thoughout with no sign of AF. As such I suspect they will discharge you back to GP care.

[Padayn01 in reply to BobD]

Yeah sorry about the text bob but I wish they told me no further investigation

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Padayn01]

On that basis nothing else to investigate.

[Padayn01 in reply to BobD]

Cheers for having a look bob, but no medication for the ectopics basically just get on with it?

[dmjtanner in reply to Padayn01]

Oftentimes they will give a number on the ectopics, like total amount for the week or each day and also state whether they are PVC’s Or PAC’s

[Padayn01 in reply to dmjtanner]

Yeah no information about any of that

[Hidden in reply to Padayn01]

I would ask for more info on the holter test. It says there were ‘frequent’ ectopics- you could ask them what they think is causing them even if they don’t think they are significant.

[Padayn01 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you I will call them today

[Padayn01 in reply to Hidden]

It just looks cause there was no AF or any other abnormalities they just seemed to be only interested in that and not the ectopics

[Hidden in reply to Padayn01]

There is quite a lot of info on ectopics here (includes further testing they could do). If it’s any consolation I’ve just had a lot of light ectopics as I type this- no obvious reason: healthline.com/health/pregn...

[Padayn01 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much for this

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Padayn01]

Ectopics are a pain I know and I assume that you use the slow deep breathing exercise? The medical profession look on ectopics as a benign nuisance which everybody gets regardless of AF or no. If you were having more than four or five a minute as I have had on occasions then a rhythm control drug may help but convincing doctors to treat them is challenging. To my knowledge ablation is not appropriate by the way. .

[Dangerousdriver in reply to BobD]

I’m having a second ablation at some point and the EP sent me a letter the other day saying that he hopes to stop the left atrial ectopics through the ablation. I was with you on that, they were controlled predominantly by lifestyle and medication. Who knew?!

[Padayn01 in reply to Dangerousdriver]

How are your ectopics now any better?

[Padayn01 in reply to BobD]

I do slow deep breathing but just find it odd that the left it at that not telling me the number of ectopics or anything

[Hidden in reply to Padayn01]

I spoke to a cardiac nurse yesterday and she said that they don’t usually give treatment for ectopics- I’ve had a lot of them recently- as they are considered to be benign and will often settle down. She allowed, however, that in some people they can prompt a bout of AF. If you are bothered by them the best thing to do is 1) to make sure you don’t have reflux, indigestion etc. 2) deal with any stress 3) do breathing exercises and lots of exercise generally. As you know, I have a lot of them over the past days, but, touch wood, they seem to be subsiding now. I have found that long walks seem to be the the best thing for them.

[Padayn01 in reply to Hidden]

Mine have been playing up for almost 3 months some days better than others

[Buffafly in reply to BobD]

And frequent ectopics.

[Padayn01 in reply to Buffafly]

No mention how many

[Coco51]

You could call the consultant's secretary and try asking for a more detailed account of the number of ectopics. Certainly after my first holter test I was sent a letter with the exact number of ectoptics (thousands per day) as well as triple beats, runs of AF etc.

I agree it is odd that no plan is outlined, like "I am discharging him back to the care of his GP" or "No further investigations required". Perhaps your GP can advise?

[Padayn01 in reply to Coco51]

I think I do that today cause I’m not happy with his outcome of what happens next

[Buffafly]

It says it is a brief note which I would take to mean that a more detailed report may follow? My ‘holter letter’ just said ‘Normal Sinus rhythm with frequent episodes of Atrial Fibrillation’. I did see the cardiologist as follow up but as there was no further treatment possible I was discharged. I would also have liked to see the recording.

[Padayn01 in reply to Buffafly]

Did you chase them up and ask for the recording? Possibly your right could be a more detailed follow up as this letter was for my GP

[Buffafly in reply to Padayn01]

No, I assumed it wasn’t available to me but if it was I think I would have had to fill in a request form and pay for it, as that was the routine with my spinal Xrays.

[quanglewangle]

Hello Paddy

Yes ectopics can be frequent but unexplained and benign - But (based on my experience) I must ask why you were 'Holtered'?

I had intermittent AF but started having faints; Holter showed up nothing, but I was implanted a loop recorder (NHS Scotland) and this did eventually show the syncope with up to 14 seconds pauses when I blacked out. Result = pacemaker fitted and all ok......

[Padayn01 in reply to quanglewangle]

Was holtered just as i was getting bad ectopics, i'm 1 year post ablation for AF back in 2018

[Elfiejean]

Sent a whole day on a stress test with inconclusive results. Years later I have 8 stents and sick sinus syndrome and AF. He used to run so many people through his office. Also drives sports car. Don't feel I got my money's worth. Said I needed to come yearly. Insurance company pays with no objection.

[Padayn01 in reply to Elfiejean]

Who are we talking about drives a sports car?