24 Hour Holter Tape: I have just... - British Heart Fou...

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24 Hour Holter Tape

theminiaturist profile image
4 Replies

I have just received the report from my cardiologist regarding my 24 hour Holter tape and all looks very reassuring. Normal sinus rhythm,average heart rate of 70 bpm,occasional isolated asymptomatic supraventricular and ventricular ectopic beats which are of no significance. I was diagnosed with mild LV systolic dysfunction in December 2017 and the GP put me on 1.25mg Bisoprolol, 50mg Losartan. I also take 100micrograms of levothyroxine because of hypothyroidism and my BMI is 41. For some while now my legs feel very weak and I find it difficult to walk any distance plus I start to sweat doing anything remotely physical. I am starting to wonder after reading the Holter Tape report if I really need to be on such medication, particularly the Beta Blocker if my heart failure is so mild that it does not really warrant taking the medication. I was started on Atorvastatin plus Aspirin for high cholesterol, the blood test revealed a repeat serum value of 5.5mmol/l. which my GP has never had any concerns about, it was the Cardiologhist who prescribed the statin for me. I stopped taking the statin because my weight was starting to rise and the Aspirin gave me stomach upsets.If anyone can enlighten me on my situation, I would be extremely grateful. The GP who started me on this medication did at the time say that with heart failure, that I would not be able to walk eventually which really upset me but after reading the Holter Tape report, I do feel a little confused as to how serious my condition is supposed to be.

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MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

Hello... I would urge you to read the following article:

bbc.com/news/health-48088391

You will see from it at your BMI (41) you have a massively increased risk of Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, heart failure and other illnesses. With this in mind I would urge you to stay on the medication prescribed to you. You should also consider restarting the statin as it does not cause weight gain - references to such as just internet myth.

These days many GPs can prescribe WW or Slimming World courses. Getting your weight down to the normal range would vastly improve your health, including walking, and probably reduce the need for medication. Good luck!

Lezzers profile image
Lezzers

I've never heard of statins causing weight gain, my husband has been taking them for years & has never had any side effects. Bisoprolol can slow you down & can cause weight around your stomach area especially if you're not too active but it's a very good drug for helping your heart. If your HF is mild presumably you've got few symptoms? I would think you're a long way from not being able to walk, if in fact that ever happens. My husband is classed as moderate HF, he's s had it since at least 2012 & quite possibly had it before that, he has recently started to slow up a bit but is still very active. Do you have or have you ever been referred to a HF nurse? Why don't you ring the BHF nurses tomorrow & talk it through with them. Also, have a look at the Pumping Marvellous website, maybe refer your GP to them.

theminiaturist profile image
theminiaturist in reply to Lezzers

I have never been referred to a heart nurse.I did ask reception at my GP's surgery and their practice nurses are just general nurses with no speciality in heart disease. There was never any mention of the existence of heart nurses. Thank you for your reply. I shall contact the BHF nurses tomorrow. It did take some time for my GP to send me to see a Cardiologist and he was quite disgusted that the GP had not started me on a statin sooner, mind having said that, the cardiac technician who fitted the Holter Tape said that a cholesterol result of 5.5 mmol/l was not too serious. Plus there has been such bad press about the use of statins

Lezzers profile image
Lezzers in reply to theminiaturist

Definitely speak to the BHF nurses tomorrow for advice. Yes, there has definitely been some bad press about statins, but a lot of scaremongering as well. They don't suit every one that's for sure but I'm sure if you already have a heart condition they like it to be below 4 although in my husbands case they want it below 3, but he's complicated! "When you see the cardiologist ask for a referral to a HF nurse, under NICE guidelines everyone with HF should be referred to them if they're available in your area.

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