Kardiamobile reading

[Hammerboy]

Hi all , I was feeling a bit wobbly this afternoon and felt like I was having quite a few ectopics so took a reading on my device . The result was ‘ sinus rythm with wide QRS . This is the first time I’ve ever had this result so was wondering if it should concern me . I had my last ablation nearly 2 years ago and have been relatively free of episodes even going sometimes 6 months between short mild AF which self resolves . I’ve taken a few blood pressure readings which are around 150/8O on average with a pulse rate between 65 and 46 . I feel slightly weak but no chest pain or breathlessness just a bit anxious .

Any thoughts would be appreciated

[mjames1]

It could mean nothing , but I would share the EKG with your cardiologist, both for verification and possible treatment/medication adjustment.

When I got " wide qrs" on my Kardia, my ep call me in for a 12 lead and my Flecainide dose was reduced.

Jim

[Hammerboy in reply to mjames1]

Thanks for that , I’m on just an anticoagulant and a statin so no rate control drugs . I think I’ll ring the arrhythmia nurse tomorrow just to check and I’ve shared my Kardia reading with the EP ( if he ever reads it lol )

[Tellingfibs]

i have had that result on occasion and mentioned it to my cardiologist when i saw him. He told me it was 'nothing' - but that might be so in my case but not in yours. Perhaps if you used the Kardia a little more for say, a week, and determined whether or not you had any more readings like that ? Or send it for analysis ? I suspect they will only explain what they already explain in their info next to the result. Thinking about it, when the cardiologist told me it was ' nothing ' it was quite a while ago, so perhaps i need to get it checked ! I dont feel any different when i have this result though...

Annie

[Hammerboy in reply to Tellingfibs]

Thanks , it’s the first time in about 2 years I’ve had this result . I generally don’t check myself unless I’m having an AF episode which is quite infrequent since my last ablation and to be honest I’ve felt my AF is pretty much under control other than ectopics which I was told to expect more of . I’ve sent the ECG to my EP and left a message with the arrhythmia team to call me back . I can but hope they reply 😉

[Ppiman]

I have a "wide QRS". Mine is caused by a left bundle branch block (LBBB), which is another type of conduction issue. These aren't that uncommon with RBBB being more common, it seems. They are generally symptomless and can be caused by other heart problems, or with no obvious cause, as in my case. They can come and go, or be more permanent. In my case, I feel it causes symptoms and adds to the problems I have with ectopic beats and AF.

Steve

[Hammerboy in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks Steve , it’s my first record of QRS since being diagnosed with AF 7 years ago . I thought it was the usual ectopic beats I’m used to but my pulse was down quite a bit this time , not sure if that’s relevant . I’m awaiting OHS for a replacement aortic valve so have had tests for coronary heart disease which I’m told is very trivial and in one artery but requires an increase in my statin dose. I have been quite active recently with DIY projects and I had just sat down after doing some manual work in the garden when I felt missing beats and it went on a while so did the test .

I’ve left a message with the arrhythmia team and sent the recording to my EP at the hospital because I’m on what they call a patient initiated follow up with them . Hopefully they will get back to me with some answers . I hope you get sorted soon 👍

[Ppiman in reply to Hammerboy]

The wide QRS itself means that the ventricle pulse came in a fraction later than it should have done following the atrial pulse. If you keep getting this, you are well placed to report it. I hope all goes well with the other bits and pieces.

I have a friend with a valve replacement and he recorded a wide QRS on a Kardia I was using back then. I seem to recall reading that valve issues as well as a lower heart rate can sometimes be associated with it.

These things are sent to try us but my experience of being something of a health worrier for years is that my imagination has been completely wrong most of the time!

Steve

[Hammerboy in reply to Ppiman]

Yes I can be a victim of that being a born worrier lol . Just did two more readings , the first was normal and the second with wide QRS with both showing heart rate at 63 . I’ll have to see what the experts say

[Ppiman in reply to Hammerboy]

And I bet they’ll barely raise an eyelid. Please do keep us informed. These experiences are always interesting.

I took my first tablet of flecainide an hour ago so you can imagine I’m sitting wondering!!

Steve

[Hammerboy in reply to Ppiman]

Will do 👍

[Drone01]

Action/medication to reduce your systolic bp might not be a bad idea

[Hammerboy in reply to Drone01]

Possibly but today my BP is normal and having taking 2 readings on my kardiamobile one was normal sinus rhythm and the next one was sinus rhythm with wide QRS . On both my HR was 63

Bit confusing , waiting for call back from arrhythmia team

[Vonnegut]

Anxiety is bad for us- remember slow breathing and happy memories.

[Hammerboy in reply to Vonnegut]

Thanks , you are right 👍

[Vonnegut in reply to Hammerboy]

Gosh! Very impressed with your quick response!

I didn’t get round to taking my first Flecainide tablet yesterday and my heart behaved very well without it. I might ask if this means I can reduce my daily dose but shan’t make a habit of it until I speak to someone who knows a bit more about it! I usually take 100mg twice daily and haven’t had an episode for ages. Very impressed that you have an “arrythmia team” - nothing like that round these parts and I only got the Flecainide after I’d seen an EP privately!

[Hammerboy in reply to Vonnegut]

I’ve not been offered rate control up to now

[Vonnegut]

Guess you could mention it. When it was first prescribed for me, it was as a PIP but as episodes increased it was prescribed to take twice daily (50mg) and then as still had episodes it was increased to 100mg twice daily which seems to work very well ( even on occasions like yesterday when I forgot the first one!

[Hammerboy in reply to Vonnegut]

Yeah it’s something I need to discuss with my EP especially as I’m waiting for a valve replacement currently

[Vonnegut in reply to Hammerboy]

Wow! A heart valve or what? A friend was given a pig’s valve, I seem to remember which worked better than the usual type another friend received. It seems to have worked well for her ( if not for the pig!)

[Hammerboy in reply to Vonnegut]

I’m getting a tissue valve in the next couple of months as I’m on the list at a heart hospital . I thought my AF days were mostly behind me but it’s such a rogue disease it always finds a way to visit you

[Vonnegut in reply to Hammerboy]

Hope it works well for you.

[Hammerboy in reply to Vonnegut]

Thank you 😊

[Buffafly]

I had some recordings with ‘wide qrs’, referred to cardiologist who told me several times not to worry and that it was slow conduction and probably a progression of my AF, but has booked an echo as I haven’t had one for a long time. I had a slightly leaky mitral valve last time. Best wishes ❤️‍🩹

[Hammerboy in reply to Buffafly]

That’s reassuring thank you , this the first time in 7 years I’ve had this result on Kardia and I’ve been experiencing AF type symptoms for a couple of days now but very mild and with a heart rate still in the 60’s . It’s the change that concerned me because my AF has been so infrequent since my last ablation . I will be going in for my aortic valve replacement in a month or two and didn’t want any complications with my AF . Suffice to say the arrhythmia team didn’t get back to me yesterday even though I sent my Kardia result through online .