A couple of things arose from my cardiologist appointment that may be of wider interest:
I need a 48hr monitor, sadly have to pay privately (NHS delay not practical) and told £450!!
Early heads-up.... your GP may try to swap you from Edoxaban to Apixaban, the latter previously more expensive is just out of monopoly and is now cheaper.
Wishing you a NSR 😎 day.
Does the cost of the 48hour monitor include the consult of the results? If so, not that expensive. If not - ouch!
I have been on the generic Apixaban for nearly two years now, it’s only in the US it’s still under license I think. I’ve not had a GP ever try ask me to change a/c.
Hi CDreamer, I hope it includes the consult, forgot to ask, the secretary just said she thought delivery & pick-up was included 🤞.
Strange my cardio who is well up on ACs said the Apixaban licence had expired v recently, maybe he was just referring to our area NHS contract.
My 24 hr Holter cost £250 with written results but had go back to the Cardiologist for the results so another £175......But it was worth it because of the wait on NHS
What is the monitor looking for?
Sad to say that it is becoming increasingly common that many of those who can afford it are having to pay for private investigations/treatment due to the shortcomings of the NHS. I suspect that this may worsen with time.
Although I’m in Australia I’m seem to remember my 72hr holter included the consult was around $600aus which is about 305 pounds. It was when I was getting lots of ectopics over a few days. Well my result said no AF just lots of ectopics! More at the start and less at the end. They virtually disappeared the day after I took it off. The night they kicked off went to French bistro and drank zero beer and 2 glasses of zero wine….
Hopefully you’re the same and things settle down real soon. Have you checked your blood levels of VitD3, CoQ10 and magnesium. My levels were low on all 3. Now after nearly 12 mths on supps my ectopics occur maybe once or twice a month and only after a bit too much food or when stress knocks on my door. Fingers crossed 🤞
Thanks Jim that is encouraging. I have been a bit too complacent running those supplements you mention down and eating a little too much and not all good plus stress has cropped up and no doubt made matters worse.
Big effort to mend my ways coming up 😇.
Have a good one!
I was told by my EP that I needed a 24 hour monitor at my review following my ablation. I was told this on the 8th of July and my appointment for the monitor came through for the 31st of July. I am in Leicester, UK.This was on the NHS.
I visit a Guildford cardiologist privately and he said it would be months on the NHS.
It's not only a postcode lottery but of course it depends which waiting list. However once in the system things may move faster judging by my recent experience in quickly being allocated a CPAP machine (having waited 7 months for the initial appointment).
I see my EP privately too but he seems to have moved this very quickly.This postcode lottery is awful.
Hi
Why a 48 hr heart monitor.
In 2021 I had 3 x 24hr Heart Monitors.
Used by specialists before med and then after a change and then after another change.
BBs didnt control my Heart Rate Day. Night was always low at 47bpm. It found that Metoprolol made me so breathless on exertion and pauses at night. I had NO to it from the start but I was still given it.
Patient refusal wasn't good enough.
No follow up on stroke. It was 1 year 5 months before my request for a Heart Specialist was given.
However I was left on Bisoprolol with Heart Rate of 156 on 10mg daily.
Locum said to go private to this recommended Dr. He put me on CCB Diltiazem. Within 2 hours on 1/2 dose my Heart Rate finally dropped to 51. I was then reduced to 120mg CD @ AM and 2.5 Bisoprolol at Night for BP.
I have been on this regime 2 years 5 months. Day Heart Rate at rest 60s and Night my usual 47bpm. BP 120-132 / 69-79.
cherio JOY. 75. (NZ)
What is the need for the monitor? There's also a monitor called ZIO patch that can read fir up to 14 days. These are pricier but might well prove more useful in catching arrhythmias.
I bought a home device from Wellue which can take an ECG for 24 hours (and for up to 72 hours with their latest model). Perhaps your doctor would be happy with that?
Steve
Yes as a private patient my cardio is a bit 'belt & braces'. I bought a Kardia machine some time ago and he mentioned he prefers a full GP surgery 6L ECG to tell him everything including QT interval.
All the stuff is trial and error, so 🤞the 48hr machine picks up everything he needs. Sods law says when I wear it not enough happens 😆.
Yes, as an alternative, I was going to suggest the Wellue 72 hour monitor (single lead like your £450 monitor) which is currently available for £287 minus a 15% discount voucher. You will need to own a laptop for the downloaded software, but it does give a comprehensive AI report. And you would be able to use this device multiple times, not just the once!
PS. I have no financial interest in this company.
Thanks Bob, I'll make that Plan B!
getwellue.com/products/ecg-...
Actually, these new models also give a "limited" AI Report via the App, thus avoiding the need for a laptop, but I haven't yet seen what this "limited" Report looks like or how useful it might be. bob.
I needed a 48 hr monitor and NHS could not do in timescale. I used Edina Healthcare, check out their website. They provide an easy to wear patch which lasts for up to 7 days so no box or trailing wires plus you can shower with it on. Sarah the manager is excellent. All done within 10 days including wearing and Xmas and New Year break. This was December last year, I paid £350 which included a telephone consultation with a cardiologist. The patch alone was £270. The actual report and readings was excellent, 17 pages and received very quickly prior to their cardiologist call so was able to ask lots of questions. My cardiac surgeon was very happy with the report.
Hope this helps.
no financial interest in this company, just a satisfied user.
Thanks for that info. Good to know and much better.
Hi, I was switched from apixaban to edoxaban a year ago. Pharmacist said edoxaban is better as it is less likely to cause a problem if you miss a dose. Presumably it stays in the system longer. I've noticed I bleed and bruise a lot more than when I was on apixaban.
It’s once a day, too, so more convenient.
A longer action might not always be a good thing, I suppose.
Steve
I don’t really understand why they keep changing the preference for these anticoagulants. A few months ago it was Apixaban that had the best write up, and more widely used and favoured. It’s like changing fashion, or is it again cost related? I think it is finding the one that is right for you and hope you are better for the change.
I think it is a combination of cost, cardiologists preference and some slight differences affecting some, incl of course just once a day for Edoxaban.
I have been on Edox for the last 4 months with no trouble so I will be resisting any change at this stage.
Yes, one size does not fit all. Not all of us get on with them and it’s trial and error.
I had an ablation end February and needed to gave a 7 day monitor, £750 plus £200 for consultants review. Insurance said it’s covered and when consultant put in bill they refused 🤯 Apparently claimed they’d made a mistake and we’d have to cover it!! That was May AND STILL arguing about it! Found out the insurance company only pay the consultant £350 of that!
Oh AND my ablation cost around £15,000! Glad to say most of that was in insurance, but not all as we had to pay anaesthetist etc!
Goodness it sounds as though you are buying the machine rather than just renting it.
Probably not helpful I know but I requested a 24hr holter with my cardiologist on the 2nd July and got it last week (17th July) and that’s Wales where we normally have long wait lists. I was surprised how quickly it came through. Seems it is a postcode lottery or a good cardiologist!
For £450 you will have peace of mind so it may be worth it , however I would see if you can call your cardiologist’s office and see if they can make it happen sooner. If you pester them they may bump you up the list. I know this does happen as my other half works for a GP and sees it all the time. Might be worth a shot before parting with your money?
All good points thanks. I tend to trust first time around and then start asking tough Q's if needed again and therefore am v grateful for everyone's comments.
I don’t know it is worth to spend the money for 48 hours holter. To have a complete picture I got a month long holter. It is up to you. And it gives you what as benefits? We all know Afib or arrhythmia are unpredictable beasts
Linq heart monitor
hello just got my results from 48hr monitor 
What's the best Heart Monitor?
Wrist heart monitor
AliveCor Heart Monitor
