Why do I feel a fraud?

[Cat715]

Hi

I have just had my 2 week Zio patch monitor results from the Cardiologist.

I was shocked to hear that no AF was detected, not that I had experienced an episode whilst being monitored but I thought that as I had been commenced on betablockers 2 weeks prior that somehow any AF would be mild and I wouldn't feel it.

Before I commenced BB my episodes were severe, like I thought my heart would burst through my chest!

The 2 week monitor did show 22 SVTs and yet the cardiologist didn't really bother about that. Why?

So I feel a fraud. Its weird but somehow I wanted to be validated, to prove that I had AF episodes once and for all. ( even though the Cardiologist believed me and the scan watch data). Guess if the 2 week monitor was applied before betablockers it would have shown AF.

Then again the BB s were keeping my heart in Sinus Rhythm so thats good right?

So why monitor whilst on BBs? I don't get it.

Anyone?

[mjames1]

Doesn't mean you're a fraud.

All that means is that there was no afib present during the two week period that you wore it the patch.

You could've been in afib the day before you put on the patch and you could've been in a fib the day after you took it off.

That's where the Kardia and Apple Watch are helpful. You can't wear the patch all the time, but you can take a reading with the Kardia or Apple Watch anytime you think you're in a fib. The results on the Watch or Kardia are generally accepted by EP's everywhere.

Why monitor on beta blockers? For the same reason you monitor off of beta blockers. To see if you're in afib or not.

You're fortunate you didn't have an episode during those two weeks while on beta blockers, but beta blockers or even anti-rhythmics are no guarantee that anyone will stay in sinus rhythm. Nor is an ablation for that matter.

So far the beta blockers seem to be working so I take this is all good news.

Jim

[Cat715 in reply to mjames1]

Thank you mjames1.

[wilsond]

Bad luck. Took a long time to catch my AF. 7 day Holter monitor x2. ( you wear it 24/7)Not a fraud

[Cat715 in reply to wilsond]

Thanks Wilsond.

[bean_counter27]

People with paroxysmal AF spend most of their time in NSR. So, unless you are having frequent episodes it's common for a Holter monitor to not pick up paroxysmal AF. That doesn't mean you don't have AF. It only means you didn't have an episode while wearing the monitor.

Episodes can happen days, weeks, months or in rarer cases, years apart. My last episode was 4 months ago but I've also had episodes 2 weeks apart - possibly less before I knew what they were.

It took several months of me having "episodes", including trips to GP and ED before my AF was finally captured on ECG. This includes wearing a 24 hour Holter monitor that resulted in my episodes being blamed on ectopic beats - so my wife would remind me when I was having subsequent episodes, prior to AF diagnosis... "it's only ectopic beats".

You're fortunate you had a Scanwatch result to provide to your cardiologist, otherwise you'd still be undiagnosed.

I have a Scanwatch too, which I bought after being diagnosed. However, I only use for first line detection/confirmation of episodes when I'm out and about. I tend to rely more on my KardiaMobile 6L for ECG's to provide to my cardiologist and use it whenever I think I'm having an episode.

[Cat715 in reply to bean_counter27]

Thanks bean_counter27

[Jay10]

Hi there, I had the same result when I had my Zio monitor, no AF but lots of other episodes of SVTs and ectopics. Cardiologist not bothered so I just carry on as before.I now have a Kardia and keep an eye on heart when I feel its misbehaving.

Hope you are reassured and all goes well.

Jackie

[Cat715 in reply to Jay10]

Thanks Jackie.

[AustinElliot]

Hi Cat,

Your 22 SVTs were probably your heart about to go into AF but the beta blockers prevented it. IMO

I had a two week Zio and made it to the very last day and had AF. My episodes are typically 3 months apart so a two week monitor is hit and miss. I had no SVTs, just the AF and a couple of others, I think PVCs

For me the best sources is the apple watch, I can do an EKG and share that if needed. But I definitely know that I have AF when I have AF.

I am on Diltiazem and my AF still showed up on the monitor.

Two weeks later and it would have been a blank.

[Cat715 in reply to AustinElliot]

Its a strange beast this AF. I hope you are right about the SVts possibly progressing to AF but stopped by betablockers as bb doing their job. I suppose because theres so much controversy re the accuracy of scan watches, that I wanted the Zio monitor to capture an episode to prove it once and for all but maybe I'm just being silly as a) thats like wishing I had an episode ( and I have experienced severe episodes before starting BBs. Like you I know when I am in AF) and b) I do think the cardiogist thinks the scan watch generated good enough ecgs that showed AF.

Thanks for your reply.

Cat

[AustinElliot in reply to Cat715]

Hi Cat,

I don't think there is a lot of controversy regarding the watches, they just have limitations.

I got both the Kardio 6L and an Apple Watch. With you, your AF sounds worse. Hopefully with the BB you won't have breakthroughs, but with a lot of folks on here AF progresses. Do you have the Kardio 6l? With your watch you can check it immediately upon feeling 'off' . Than keep a diary of your episodes/HR.

If I feel off and my watch says AF, I can get the Kardio out and double check so far they have matched. If I feel off and my watch say NSR I can also confirm against the Kardio, so far I have not felt the need to do that. I take the watch at face value and take my PIP if it says AF and if it does not, than I am not in AF. If my heart rate is over 100 resting and it says AF, its probably AF. And if its in the 50,60,70s than I am probably not in AF. That works for me, we are all different.

Easier to say than do, but try to relax. Having the BB do its job is great. Regards Elliot

[Cat715 in reply to AustinElliot]

Thanks AustinElliot. I have a Withings watch and when I feel I am starting with an episode I use the watch to capture it and its stored on my mobile. I can change to PDF to send to gp by email.

I guess I just wanted the monitor to capture an episode to prove the watch works and that I DO suffer from AF.

[AustinElliot in reply to Cat715]

Hi Cat,

I understand. Knowing is better than not. I have been through all the tests (I think) CT Calcium, Zio, Stress Test, Echo, Cleveland Heart Blood workup. All Clear

Beyond those, I have AF.

If you are still concerned I would get the Kardio, it's accepted as being accurate and does the 6L.

So far my treatment options have not really changed, from my first EP visit, Diltiazem daily and Flecainide as PIP for AF episodes. Decided against ablation, currently scheduled for a Wolf Mini-maze in August (which was 10 months, now 4)(Yikes)(waffling!)

Hope you get the resolution you want. Elliot

[Cat715 in reply to AustinElliot]

Thank you Elliot.Wow! You sound like you've been through the mill with all those tests!

Never heard of a Wolf mini-maze. I'll look it up. Hope all goes well.

[Cat715 in reply to AustinElliot]

You sound like you are from maybe Texas?If so its strange as I am just listening to Stephen Sanchez songs.

If you aren't from USA just ignore me 😄

[AustinElliot in reply to Cat715]

Hi Cat,

I am from Texas (although not born here) Austin is a great place to live, however, the climate change has been pretty intense in the 39 years I have been here. Summers are brutal. We will relocate to Seattle in the next 18-24 months. I am tired of watching our trees die from drought, ice, drought, freeze. Its too much.

The Wolf Mini-maze is a thoracic surgery that comes in from the outside the heart. Dr Wolf also clips the left atrium appendage (where 20% of AF occurs and 90% of clots) Anyway I think its a better option for me as I am in good shape and youngish.

I am nowhere as tested as a bunch of the folks on here, but I have had a busy year. What part of the UK are you in? We have Scotland/England on our travel plans, hopefully soon after our move. Have a great week. Elliot

[Cat715 in reply to AustinElliot]

Its so sad to hear about the effects of climate change there. Here? It never stops raining! It wasn't a good summer last year either.We live in Derbyshire near the Peak District...hence the rain!

Wish you well with your procedure. I have heard of surgery on the left atrial appendage.

Well I guess I'm lucky I have only just started with AF as in my sixties. No surgery has been offered as yet.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

I wonder if stress was causing your Heart problems and that a BB solved your anxiety as it's role is to block adrenalin.

cheri JOY

[Cat715 in reply to JOY2THEWORLD49]

Possibly.