Inserted heart monitor ILR

[Art_lover2022]

Hi all, I wondered if anyone has had a Loop recorder heart monitor inserted? My cardiologist has recommended the device. I have agreed even though I'm aprehensive having an invasive procedure

[ozziebob]

If you do a HU Search 🔍 (at the top of each HU page) with the terms "Implantable Loop Recorder" you will get the following past Posts ...

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

[Art_lover2022 in reply to ozziebob]

Thanks I will check it out.

[quanglewangle]

Great idea. Do not worry - the procedure is quick and painless. My ILR saved my life by recording the intermittent events that my pacemaker now prevents but were not showing on ECG and Holter monitoring.

[Art_lover2022 in reply to quanglewangle]

Hi that's good to hear. I'm obviously apprehensive. Did you have it taken out once it showed the results?

[Pindarus]

I had one fitted a fortnight ago following an unexplained fainting episode (cardiac syncope?).

It was completed in 15 minutes under local anaesthetic and I literally didn't feel a thing apart from a pushing sensation. It is sealed with medical glue which peels off after 10 days leaving a tiny incision mark. I will have an echocardiogram in a few weeks and from that and the data transmitted by the loop recorder they will hopefully find exactly where the trouble lies.

The battery lasts about three years but I don't think they bother to remove it as it is tiny and harmless. I suppose if the answer is a pacemaker they would take it out when the pacemaker goes in.

[Art_lover2022 in reply to Pindarus]

Helpful thank you.

[quanglewangle]

My ILR was removed at the same time as my pacemaker was inserted. Both procedures very quick and easy....

[Art_lover2022 in reply to quanglewangle]

Thank you I'm hoping I have the same experience.

[Whataperformance]

They are easy to put in. In my local Hospital, it's the Cardiac Physiologists who do it not Doctors, they completely run the service and highlight to Consultants when they find results that need attention.I have described it as, the same as a the chip you put in your pets neck.

Don't worry it's all good.

[Art_lover2022 in reply to Whataperformance]

Thank you I'm trying not to.

[mogmeg]

I had one fitted two years ago as my irregular heartbeat never showed up on ECGs. It picked up Afib so I could then begin treatment. It takes longer to prepare you for the procedure than the actual procedure itself. They don't tend to remove it until the battery runs out after about three years.

[Art_lover2022 in reply to mogmeg]

TThanks that's interesting, I presumed once they had a diagnosis it would be removed. I don't like the thought of it being left in.

[petmice]

I was fitted with one in November of 2021. Easy to insert, easy to use. Mine is a Medtronic - it's only the size of a AAA battery, a really small incision is needed for such a small device, it's placed just under the skin so it's not major surgery, and the tissue under the skin has no pain receptors so only the incision area needed to be numbed. It could have been done in the doctor's office if it hadn't been done during COVID. The device quietly records everything my heart is doing 24/7 and my doctor can look at that info during doctor appointments, so he'll be looking at it at my appointment next month and can tell me whatever-the-heck my heart did just five minutes ago.

[Art_lover2022 in reply to petmice]

Hi that's really helpful thanks. I'm having it inserted for the same reason, my AFIB palpitations have always stopped by the time I get to have an ECG. Was there any pain or discomfort after the procedure?

[petmice in reply to Art_lover2022]

They used a local anesthetic to numb the area, so there was a little pinch - but that was it. There was weird pressure while they maneuvered it into position but no pain. Afterwards, the incision was basically like a deep cut which healed quickly and didn't hurt that much (I am a baby when it comes to pain). It really surprised me that there aren't any pain nerves under the skin, so inserting the recorder itself didn't cause any pain, It was an easy procedure and you will enjoy the peace of mind knowing that the recorder is recording everything your heart is doing so your doctor will have complete, accurate information as to what is going on in there.

[Art_lover2022 in reply to petmice]

Oh thank you, you've put my mind at rest a bit. I'm very squeamish, hate hospitals and anything clinical. I'll let you know how I got on.

[Art_lover2022 in reply to petmice]

Hi I had the ILR procedure yesterday. All went smoothly, the doctor was amazing all I felt was nudging while she put it in place, I even asked if she was finished! When I got home it felt a bit tender so I took some painkillers. I was grateful for your advice thanks again.

[petmice in reply to Art_lover2022]

I'm glad it went well for you!