Normal Heart Rhythm and AF symptoms

I have received a letter from the Consultant Cardiologist who oversaw the results of my recent Holter 24 hr test and he reports my heart rhythm as being totally normal therefore my current symptoms are not related to rhythm. I’m just not clear about things now. Does this mean I don’t or do have AF. Today I am experiencing a dull pain to the centre left of my chest.,it has been constant for several hours now. Pulse is perfectly normal and my ECG on Kardia (which I know doesn’t register a heart attack) is also normal. I am putting the pain down to acid reflux which I do suffer from.

[Hidden]

Hi, Just wondering if you have ever suffered from digestive system issues ( apart from acid reflux which you mention). Thinking specifically bloating which might occur along with the centre left chest pain.

John

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

No bloating. It’s unusual for me (first time ever) to experience pain that is constant.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

....just wondering because I did but I had the bloating with the pain and that tripped me into AF.

[BobD Volunteer]

The trouble with Holter monitors is that they often do not catch any arrhythmias which being paroxysmal usually hide as soon as you wear one.

Oesphageal spasm can often mimic heart pain as I know full well but general advice is that any chest pain especially allied to dizzyness or fainting should be investigated.

As far as the future is concerned maybe buy a Kardi device to take your own ECG if you feel an event but please be careful that you don't become obsessive and become a slave to it rather than getting on with your life.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Thank-you Bob. I take your advice. I just wish the centre left chest pain I am having at the moment wasn’t constant though. That’s not normal for me. It’s dull pain but also feels as if it’s twisting. I am a long time sufferer of acid reflux and I can’t take anything to ease it as I am allergic to acid reflux drugs. I break out in Hives. Ugh! Sorry. Shouldn’t be speaking about acid reflux. Back to AF. I do have a Kardia 6L and also an Apple Iwatch series 6. I admit that I am (having only very recently been diagnosed with AF but also possibly verging on denial of it - Not me syndrome) becoming a bit obsessive. I am constantly tapping my watch to check my pulse and use my Kardia at least once every day., Blood pressure I take every two to three days. I hope that once I settle into acceptance of my condition I will calm down. I think I am overdoing my health checks.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Hidden]

As was once told to me. AF may be in your life but it is not all of your life. Best advice I ever had. It is only when I am not busy or awake in the night that I ever think about my heart.

[kkatz in reply to Hidden]

I have a hiatus hernia & suffer acid reflux and often get pain that I worry is heart related .Quite intense.If you can't take PPIs can you take Gaviscon.I find chewing gum helps.

[Hidden in reply to kkatz]

Thank-you. I will try Gaviscon again. I gave up on everything years ago because nothing helped or whatever did help caused other unpleasant reactions. I think I know what the chest pain (still there) is now. Second day of it …….. It’s muscle strain. 🤞My chest is also painful if pressed on at the spot. I do have a historic (constant throughout the day. Takes a while to settle down when I first go to bed) cough and of late it has been quite aggressive. The coughing causes strain. This adds to the hoarseness I wake up with in the morning. A bit embarrassing for me if I have to answer the house phone because the caller immediately thinks they are speaking to the man, not the First Lady, of the house.

[Daddyrabbit in reply to Hidden]

1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or 1 teaspoon of baking soda dissolved in water will knock out acid reflux instantly. You don’t need drugs. It works for me every time.

[milehighlinnie in reply to Hidden]

I did the same thing. I was a slave to the Kardia band on my I-Watch. You might talk to your doctor about a loop recorder. It gets implanted just under the skin over your heart (in the office visit). Once it is in they monitor your heart and you go about your life without the worry of missing something.

[Buffafly]

If it’s any help the ‘heart attack’ pain I had was like an internal bear hug and came in waves or spasms. But there are other symptoms. The main thing is how you feel - exhausted, nauseous, clammy, dizzy - get help!

[Hidden in reply to Buffafly]

Thank-you for sharing your experience and know that you have helped ease my concern. Bye for now. 👋

[Jctga]

I had the same situation. Thankfully my Afib was documented during an ER visit before the monitor. Yours may be like mine and be of short duration and not consistent with timing so it’s hard to capture. I had ablation about 3 months ago and it’s better. Good luck.