Waiting for Holter test for 8 months for abnormal ECG

[Lliria]

Hi,In my 40s I had a heart scan that showed a PFO but was reassured it was an incidental finding.

I'm 56 now and after having palpatations last summer ( 22) I had an ECG that showed abnormal repolarization. My GP referred me for a Holter monitor test and I'm still waiting 8 months later !

I've contacted the hospital and have been told mine is classed as routine and they don't have enough monitors !

I don't know whether the ECG finding is significant or not but I think an 8 month wait to find out is a long time.

Has anyone else waited this long ?

I suppose my ECG findings are not serious but sometimes. It worries me.

Thanks for reading

[Tos92]

Have you tried contacting PALS at your local hospital? They may be able to speed things up for you. When you contact them, also mention that you’re still experiencing heart palpitations and that you are very concerned.

I think the waiting time can vary for tests and results depending on where you live. I remember waiting two months for the results of a myocardial perfusion scan after having an NSTEMI and I still hadn’t heard back. I contacted PALS and they were able to get me my results within the week.

[Mumtochd]

I have also been waiting 8 months for this, when I phoned recently they told me they were working on referrals from last March so to expect at least another 4 months wait.

[JudiHalf]

Wait times are very long at the moment, I remember just before pandemic I only waited a couple of weeks for a Holter monitor, now I’ve waited a year for a pacemaker to be fitted, just got my appointment through for end of May.

I think the long waiting times are very distressing for lots of people unfortunately.

[Westie2012 in reply to JudiHalf]

Hope you get on ok with your pacemaker procedure , I had my pm over two years ago after having a holter monitor on for a week . Buy a vshape pillow , they’re so comfy especially in the early days after your procedure .

[JudiHalf in reply to Westie2012]

Hi thanks, I was just chatting to my son about sleeping positions after I have it done, the v shaped pillow sounds a great idea, I shall pop into Dunelm Mill To get one.

[Yumz199725]

I'm so sorry you have waited this long 💔. I have never had to wait this long I think the most i waited was a month maybe I've had a lot of holter monitors in the last few years last one found ventricular Tachycardia so I take verapamil for this. Well done for contacting the hospital that couldn't oh been easy. Hope you are able to get your holter monitor soon it will probably be one they send you and it's really small and you have to put it on yourself I've done that twice now first time was really daunting 💔. Take care and wish you all the best.

[1234_6]

Hi I was told waiting lists are long due to additional cardiology issues arising post covid infections & / or jabs. At my hospital nurse said pre-covid referrals were seen in 2 to 4 weeks but now it is a min of 4 months plus (so even she was surprised at how long I'd waited!).

I was also told that they triage the referrals to make sure those more in need are seen first. And that a fast heart beat / rapid pulse issue patient is more at risk, whereas they have more time to sort a slow heart beat / pulse issue, so we go on the list but others might need to be put ahead of us.

I waited 9 months after an A&E referral to see the Cardiologist for the first time.

Had the 24hr holter meter & an ultra-sound scan at month 7, which was 2 months before seeing the Consultant but the hospital hadn't processed the holter meter results and it took a complaint to PALS and another month for them to sort the results.

PALS said there was a staff shortage of people able to read / interpret the results and had reviewed the issue and sorted additional assistance for the department.

At the first vist Cardiologist started me on heart meds without reference to the 24hr results, but he did have two other ECG's to review, & he referred me for MRI, but hasn't given me a follow up / second appointment date yet.

The ulta-sound scan was normal but the holter meter showed i have bigemniy & 8% ectopics ... so now we're trying to find out why.

7 months later & no news on MRI date so i finally chased to check I'm actually on the list for the MRI as I've not heard anything!

Finally on friday last week i got an appointment for Tuesday just gone for the MRI - only to be contacted 2hrs before leaving home to be told that it is cancelled as the machine has broke!

So the answer is ... yes... with some tests in some areas there are very long waiting lists.

I'm afraid that you just have to be patient, look after yourself as much as possible, diary your symptoms so you can discuss them when you do get to see someone, stay as calm as possible and try not to worry too much.

I really don't mean the above to sound as blasé as it does. Believe I know how difficult it is when faced with a long wait & no one to talk your concerns over with. I'm so glad to have found this forum. It is a great help.

Do chase the appointment if you can, ask if you can be contacted in the event of a cancellation or perhaps be referred elsewhere.

Take care. Good luck.

[Hidden]

Hello

I know the waiting lists can be long but 8 months seems to be pushing it a bit waiting

I would talk with my Doctor they can email them mine has in the past and when they have I have found it has speeded things up

On a reassuring note if the Hospital are saying it is a routine one sounds like they are not overly concerned even though I know you won't feel that way and want to get it done which I hope happens soon

Let us know how you get on x

[Westie2012]

I had to wait quite a few months between the first time having a holter monitor and the second time . Maybe speak to your gp if you feel your symptoms are getting worse or more frequent and maybe they can write to the hospital to try to bring you nearer the top of the wait list . When you do have your holter monitor request the sticky pads for sensitive skin as they really were itchy and I ended up with very sore tiny blisters because of the sticky pads they use . Hope you hear something soon .