How do I interpret this Kardia ECG re... - British Heart Fou...

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How do I interpret this Kardia ECG reading?

MummaSoap profile image
22 Replies

I was sat on the couch and started feeling hot and a bit of a fluttering sensation in my chest and a bit dizzy.

This ecg reading came back unclassified and whilst it was recording it said my heart rate was 164bpm yet the pdf says 72bpm 🤷🏻‍♀️

I have just bought a book to try and teach myself on a recommendation from Hidden 🙂

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MummaSoap
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22 Replies
MummaSoap profile image
MummaSoap

photo 2

ECG - unclassified
MummaSoap profile image
MummaSoap

photo 3

ECG - unclassified
MummaSoap profile image
MummaSoap

photo 4

ECG - unclassified
hayrisdnet profile image
hayrisdnet in reply toMummaSoap

what book did you pick?

MummaSoap profile image
MummaSoap in reply tohayrisdnet

I was recommended: EKG ECG interpretation made easy

From what I’ve read so far it is really informative but I would also obviously run anything concerning past my cardiologist or GP rather than try to self treat.

It was more for my own learning to work out when readings need to be escalated and what would still be normal even if slightly outside the algorithms of kardia. I don’t want to be bothering medical professionals unnecessarily when they’re already so swamped!

The above trace was one of several that went on for about 4 minutes, with my phone in the same place I always put it to take a reading and sat the same way I always sit but something was obviously not quite right at the time because it spat out this odd thing. It’s taken normal readings since and the feelings disappeared but I intend to flag it to my GP to err on the side of caution 🙂

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star

Maybe ask a registered healthcare professional? Your GP, Cardiac Nurse Specialist or Cardiologist?

A 12 lead ECG, with the pads carefully applied, that stick well to the skin, no movement, no mobile phone nearby, that is intrepreted by an experienced registered healthcare professional in the context of a person's full medical history is the only way to tell what's going on.

MummaSoap profile image
MummaSoap in reply toMilkfairy

Thank you, I will speak to my GP and cardiologist when I have my next reviews.

MummaSoap profile image
MummaSoap

🤣🤣 I love a good Mr Men book!! Little Miss Sunshine is my favourite

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

My previous GP said all they were useful for was detecting some types of arrhythmia when I asked the various wearables. Show it to your GP, them how you feel and they may arrange a full. ECG ( as mentioned by Milkfairy ) or even a Holter monitor.

MummaSoap profile image
MummaSoap in reply toMichaelJH

Yes I’m hoping my cardiologist might suggest another 7 day holter monitor but I’m not holding out much hope at the moment. The department as a whole is absolutely slammed. Just as an example a standard echo or review is taking around 12 months in our area so I know whatever the recommendation, I need to be patient. Thank you for your reply 🙂

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply toMummaSoap

Can you afford to go privately? A 7-day Holter should be between £350 and £450. I had my angiogram done provately as there was a long wait. The cardiologist also tweaked my meds to my benefit. I actually think my GP was out of his depth.

MummaSoap profile image
MummaSoap in reply toMichaelJH

Had a letter from my cardiologist and he doesn’t seem the slightest bit interested in my symptoms because he doesn’t suspect angina to be the cause.

I will just try to be patient and wait for my cardiologist review.

I wish I could go private to get answers or confirmation about whether I’m safe to drive but with 3 small children and 3 bonus children and my weekly food shop jumping from around £50 to £120, I just can’t. Every bit of money left at the end of the month (when there is any) is put towards birthday and Christmas presents.

It’s just disappointing to receive a letter that is saying “I am due to see you in clinic next month and I look forward to seeing you then”. It’s ok for him because he isn’t the person whose independence has hit pause on. I do appreciate how busy they are and I’m truly grateful to the service for all they’ve done for me; I know I should count myself fortunate that I’m not at death’s door but I can’t help feeling a bit frustrated.

Right, rant over and I feel better for having put that in black and white! I will continue to work on my patience as my mother tells me it’s a virtue!! 🤣🤣🙈🙈

Captain_Birdseye profile image
Captain_Birdseye

Unclassified readings on kardia in my experience normally due to artefact (usually means you weren't still enough)... oddly you get fewer unclassifieds if you pay the subscription.

Mine only records the heart rate at the end... but I used to get a breakdown when I paid for the full thing. I stopped as it was a waste of money for me.

That being said, I'd run anything you were concerned about past your GP, I don't know how to read these properly!

MummaSoap profile image
MummaSoap in reply toCaptain_Birdseye

That’s interesting, I did pay something for the app but I’ve had a number of Unclassified readings. I haven’t normally paid to much attention to them; it was only that I was symptomatic and it looked odd I thought maybe I should check in with the group.

I kinda want to be sensible but also make sure I keep myself away from any hospitals before my wisdom teeth extraction because I don’t want it to get cancelled! 😂🙈

Phil_London profile image
Phil_London in reply toMummaSoap

You get different conditions checked when you pay the subscription, if you don't pay youbonly get the three basic conditions looked for, normal rhythm, Afib and one other that I can't recall, unclassified, as has been said is often when you not quite still or it didn't read it sufficiently and you should try again, upu can take as many as you like or change the setting for a longer check period, they are suppose to be quite accurate and trusted by cardiologists but nothing beats a conventional ECG. The issue is when you go to take the readings with the Kardia or in my case, is when you feel anxious so your HR is often higher or you are nervous. It's a great peace of mind machine and helped me in my earlier days through anxiety moments but nothing is better than professional advise.

MummaSoap profile image
MummaSoap

Hi Anne,

Sort to hear your frustrating news on your post; I hope you get some clarity soon 🤞🏼

The book is called EKG ECG interpretation made easy; I’ve had it a few days but other than a quick skim I haven’t had chance to sit down and read it properly. It looks interesting though 🙂

MummaSoap profile image
MummaSoap

Thank you, that’s really informative and very helpful! You are a font of knowledge 😁👍🏻

Scho1 profile image
Scho1

unless you are a cardiologist you can’t really be expected to understand it except when it tells you you have normal sinus rhythms. I send my readings over to my cardiologist for him to determine. He can then adjust or change my meds or even call me in to see him. Do you have a cardiologist who you can send your readings to?

Hi @MummaSoap

Just another reminder that content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and your doctor. Please avoid making any changes to your medication or any big changes to your lifestyle, without speaking to a health professional first.

Many thanks!

LindyMc profile image
LindyMc

Or £10 in UK BTW

LindyMc profile image
LindyMc

When I first got my Kardia I often got unclassified. It usually meant it it was an unreliable recording for some reason or another - and that included misreading of the pulse rate and was tempted a couple of times to send it for a clinical review which most often came back, to the effect, as a rubbish trace. Later on I learnt to delete them and do it again and 9 times out of 10 got something readible.

Palpman profile image
Palpman

It would be interesting to see what your single lead would look like.

Heart rate is 300 divided by 4.2 blocks is 71 bpm.

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