24 hour monitor

[Lizty]

My paroxysmal AF was not picked up on a 24 hour monitor. I was checked a couple of times over a 5 year timespan and told that I just had lots of ectopics.

Finally, when it became more severe the GP eventually relented and booked me in for a seven day monitor whcich picked up the atrial fibrillation on the fourth day. Later on I was also diagnosed with atrial flutter which had also been missed. But here is the question. A friend has now been for a 24 hour monitor and given the all clear. She told the doctor that in my case, it had taken a 7 day monitor to pick up this particular arrhythmia. She was told - 'No... if you had atrial fibrillation we would have picked it up in the 24 hour monitor.'

Has science moved so far that AF can now be picked up with a 24 hour ECG??? Can't understand the logic.... but good if that is the case? What do others think?

[BobD Volunteer]

Sadly GPs often know even less about AF than we do. The comment is utter nonsense. If you have paroxysmal AF it can only be picked up on an ecg. If you do not have one of those paroxysmal events whilst wearing a Holter monitor of course it will not show up . Best advice is invest in a Kardia and capture an event yourself to show your doctor. Just don't get obsessive about using it.

[Lizty in reply to BobD]

Just checked. It wasn't the GP..... evidently it was the consultant who told her it would have shown up on the 24 hour monitor. Something very odd.... and I don't want to probe. I can lend her my kardia, but don't want to be seen as interfering... oh dear..

[Auriculaire in reply to Lizty]

That is worrying . What sort of ignoramus are making consultant these days? Are you sure she has got it right? People can have afib episodes that are weeks / months/ years apart so would not even be picked up by a 7 day monitor. I have never had any afib show up on the two 24 hrs Holters I have had and as my episodes are pretty well spaced out it would be sheer luck if it was caught on a 7 day one. As Bob says a Kardia is the best bet for catching it.

[jeanjeannie50]

I agree totally with what BobD has said. Jean

[Frances123 in reply to jeanjeannie50]

Ditto.

[Blondie12345]

I agree with bob. Been in many of these scenarios also.

The last conversation i had with the heart consultant he was happy to accept Kardia readings to review in addition to an ‘nhs’ 24hr ecg. (I havent purchased the kardia yet but its on the christmas list)

[secondtry]

Agree with Bob et al. We all have to accept change in the NHS and apart from a few exceptions you need to consult above GP level and be more proactive yourself. I am also looking for my nearest experienced integrated practitioner, expensive but surely health is more important than money.

[Princelover]

Totally agree with the above. GP wrote mine off as the palpitations all women get and she’s female!! Kardia proved otherwise and private cardiologist did not need any further “evidence” other than that I sent him. Madness GP’s aren’t more updated given it’s pretty common!

[Jamontoast]

I don’t think so - I had a 24hr and a 7 day monitor in the past 12 months neither of which picked up my AF and I too was told I just had ectopics. Then last weekend I had a bad episode and was taken to hospital where it was finally diagnosed, I would suggest they ask for a 7 day one as a starting point

[wilsond]

Nonsense! It is standard practice to try 24 hours first, then if still reporting arrhythmia 7 days.I take it this was a GP? Many are quite blase and ,frankly ,ill informed about AF.

If it was a consultant, I would seek a second opinion ( a trained one preferably!!) Probably a cardiologist not an EP.

I bought a Kardia for the purpose of confirming AF fir this who needed to know.

[Buzby62]

I had a PAF episode yesterday for about 8 hours, 38 days after the previous one so would have needed a 7 day monitor 5 or 6 times to actually capture it.

I got my diagnosis by capturing an episode on my Apple Watch and my GP got me a 12 lead ECG at the surgery the same day which confirmed AF. I’m pretty sure I was having episodes for years now that I know what they feel like (not very symptomatic)

[PleasantPink2]

Paroxysmal AF is the type that can start & stop spontaneously in 7 days. So only being monitored for 24 hours could easily miss it. I found using the Kardia device very valuable for my own peace of mind and a good tool for the EP Cardio & Medical Cardio to be able to follow my concerns between visits as well.

Around the holidays you can usually get a discount on the device.

[RAS54]

Had a 10day Holter monitor over Christmas /New year holiday 2 years ago picked up 8 minutes of AF during the 10days no symptoms. Consultant said it was lucky it was picked up.

[Lizty]

More info from friend. Evidently if she gets another episode to call the parameds. Not much more I can advise unfortunately! Not informed in detail of the conversation so can't do much more but keep in touch. Will pop kardia in my handbag for future reference! Thanks for all ideas and confirming what I thought....