Holter Monitor Issues

[Debjimmay]

I’m a female, 72. Has anyone been prescribed the Phillips Extended Holter ePatch monitor? I wore this patch for two weeks. I was having problems with PACs, Etopics, Tachycardia and Afib which went on almost the entire time I was wearing the monitor. My HP received the results which said it was ok and they found nothing unusual. I was in SHOCK because I must have pushed that alert button over 200 times! Both my Apple Watch and Kardia Care picked up Afib (16 times) and the irregular heart beats several times. Is it possible my Apple Watch and Kardia Care are wrong? I’m at a loss at what to do or what to think. Has anyone else experienced anything like this?

[BobL123]

One will never know. However, I'd guess your feeling and other devices are detecting an irregular rhythm and the Holter monitor is missing it. I've had a similar experience. Good luck

[Debjimmay in reply to BobL123]

Thank you. At least I’m not the only one that’s had this problem. I would think the monitor would have at least picked up one episode of Afib though since I recorded 16 and have them saved on my iPhone. When I go in for my appointment to go over the results of the monitor I’m going to show him my results. I doubt he will have much to say about it as it seems when you’re in for an office visit they are rushed and make you feel like you are taking up too much of their time, especially if you are questioning anything. I also feel that being a woman a cardiologist will brush off your fears and concerns as males are more prone to heart attacks than women. This is very upsetting and frustrating to me and feel there really isn’t much I can do about it.

[Aegean56 in reply to Debjimmay]

Did your HP specifically say there were no episodes of A fib? What exactky was meant by "they found nothing unusual.", especially if you already have a diagnosis of A fib? Was the monitoring done to determine your Afib burden ?

[Debjimmay in reply to Aegean56]

Hi! I was able to read the results of the Holter Monitor on my patient portal online. There was no mention of any Afib episodes. When the nurse called me with the result, she said that everything came back normal. I’m sorry, but I have to totally disagree. I know my heart, and it was anything but normal. And yes, the monitor was ordered due to my Afib, PACs and arrhythmia.

[Aegean56 in reply to Debjimmay]

I don't disagree with you either . I was simply asking for clarity. The kardia and smart watches are static measurements so it very curious that a monitor worn 24 /7 for 2 weeks missed every single episode of "a fib " you experienced! A side by side review may be helpful /telling. Perhaps even a review of the device you used to ensure the leads were not faulty in some way. Good luck. Hope all goes well in you favor

[Debjimmay in reply to Aegean56]

What I’m going to do is bring my Apple Watch showing the history of my Afib and all the other irregular heart rhythms that I have to the doctor and show this to him. Not sure it will make much difference or convince him of anything , but it might make me feel a little better for doing so.. lol

[mav7 in reply to Debjimmay]

Please let us know the results on the accuracy of the Apple Watch. Thanks !

[Debjimmay in reply to mav7]

Sure! I will mention that the very first time my Apple Watch picked up Afib I made an appointment with my cardiologist and he said if my Apple Watch said I have Afib then I do. I was surprised when he said that and I’m thankful that my Apple Watch picked it up.