At the end of Sept I had a 24hr holter monitor having experienced some intense palpitations. I was told the result should be with my gp withing 2 weeks. A couple of days ago (7weeks after having it done) I looked on my GP online records. I saw there was a letter with the ECG results there, but frustratingly when I clicked on the attachement it wouldn't open! I also saw though that the next day my gp had done a refereal to cardiology saying"24 hour ECG shows an 11 second episode of PAF." and wanting their input. Having Googled Paroxysmal atrial fibrilation, I thought an episode had to be at least 30 secs long to meet the criteria for afib, so am wondering why I'm being referred to cardiology. I have had longer episodes on other days though, so I am pleased to be referred. No one has informed me about the results. Should the GP send me a letter explaining what's happening? How can I view the ECG report? Any thoughts welcome as I am a newbie to all this!
Referal to cardiology after 24hr holt... - British Heart Fou...
Referal to cardiology after 24hr holter monitor result
Hello 
As far as I am aware any results that need further investigating the Surgery should let you know but what they should do is totally different to what they seem to do now unless things have changed and it is up to us to keep trying to get results from them which I would hope it is not the latter
I would try and contact the Doctors Surgery and ask them if your Doctor will be contacting you as well as how you can see your results
You have an appointment coming from what it says which is what you were wanting so that but sounds like good news for you so you can find out what is happening
Let us know how you get on x
Hi, I was planning to wait a few days, then if I don't hear anything will talk to a receptionist and ask how I can view the letter. SO frustrating having waited 7 weeks, then to see it's there but not be able to open it, lol! I realise that it's a small thing compared to what lots of people on here are going through...
I suggest you contact your GP surgery and ask for a copy of the reports.
AF can last for seconds, hours, days, weeks or even years. So yes, you can indeed experience AF for 11 seconds. AF is an arrhythmia where the atria beat chaotically (ie they fibrillate). If the Holter picked this up, it means that you had an episode of atrial fibrillation. No ifs, no buts.
You must have had the Holter for a reason. I presume you were having symptoms that were concerning you and AF was picked up. You may also be experiencing ectopic beats, which are very common and considered benign. Many people have AF and they have no idea. It’s better you know than don’t know because AF has additional risks, and tends to become more frequent/longer episodes over time. It’s something that needs to be kept an eye on
It’s very reassuring that your GP has referred you to cardiology even if this has been a bit of a shock for you.
yes, will contact them next week I think. I had strong palpitations...felt like a crazy jazz drummer in my chest! Also fatigue and sometimes lightheaded. I've been reading about afib. It's the stroke risk that scares me, so just want to find out what's going on and if any treatment is needed
Hi ECGG, the first thing I would do is make an appointment with your local GP and ask them to explain your results. That what I did when I found out my local GP had my results of my echo cardiogram for 3 Months, I had my test done in March 2023 and got told the results of the scan in June 2023. Take care.
Hi, think I'll talk to the receptionist first and try and get her to send me the report, then see if I have any questions for my GP. Wow they'd had your results for 3 months?! Did they finally contact you, or did you have to ask?
I made appointment to see my GP to get the results
hi, I used to be a Drs receptionist, not a dragon I hasten to add! Please ring them and ask her to get GP to ring you. That’s what they are there for. 7 weeks is unacceptable. We have to be our own advocates now. The health service is broken so we need to be more proactive for ourselves.
That's strange I can view mine when I've had one at the doctors surgery? But yours was a 24 hour one that probably wouldn't be available to look at. Glad you have you the referral and hope you get some answers x
hmmm, I had one at the GP's surgery, but nobody told me anything about it, and it's not on my record. I assumed it showed nothing as it was such a short one and I felt no symptoms at the time. Any idea of the wait for a cardiology appt?? Everything seems to be SO slow 
I'm not sure to be honest I hope your not waiting long. x I have one every year so I'm sure how long the wait is to be seen for a referral to a cardiologist??
I have SVT which has got worse so I’ve been referred back to cardiology. I saw my GP end of September and cardiology appointment is mid January. I’ve just had some tests done this week in preparation for the appointment and was told if anything urgent showed up the appointment might move forward. I would definitely ring your GP asap to find out your results as they are so busy these days I don’t trust them to call. Like many have already said we need to advocate for ourselves these days. Good luck.
I have been told it is around a 38 week wait from when the doctors put a request to the cardiologist consultant.my appointment is at the end of March 2024 my first appointment that is. I have been waiting since March,2023.
wow, that's terrible!
I had a holder monitor for a month last year and waited three months for the results along with two other results. I too accessed my GP online record's and they didn't have the results before then either.Long story short I ended up being told by the cardiologist in a letter I have mild CAD and moderate LVH. I was out on a double dose of Ramapril which I was already on a lower dose and Clopidrogel.
Frustratingly while both my GP and I got the same letter my GP could not see the report on each individual test I had. I wrote this year to ask for copies of the three results which were sent to me on a disc, so frustrating because I don't know anybody who used a desktop pc. I wrote again explaining this and reluctantly they did send me copies of the three reports.
I hope you are able to get some answers and try not to worry.
urgh, that's terrible. By the time you have tests and actually get the results, they are outdated! And it's tiring having to chase everyhing up isn't it?!Hope things are better for you now...
You're right it's like a full time job.
Same here! 24 hour ambulatory ECG in July, 3 months after I had complained of worsening palpitations, and was told I would be informed of any significant results. Heard nothing from GP so assumed all was well. Eventually other symptoms got me referred to a cardiologist, not by GP, but by a separate specialist to whom I had described my symptoms. Now awaiting surgery for severe aortic valve regurgitation! Absolutely no contact, apology or anything from GP surgery until I made a formal complaint! The nearest I got to actually being seen by a GP was a telephone consultation.
that's terrible! Best of luck with your surgery, and hope you don't have to wait too long for it...
On the NHS app I can see list of reports but I have to log on through the website to be able to open attachments.
ah yes, I tried on my PC as well as phone. Weirdly it let me open one letter (the referal letter to cardiology, but not the letter with the ECG result...🤔
I had a 72 hour holter monitor on 22nd to 25th September. I have heard nothing. It seems to be the modern approach to health care!
Thanks. That was a good idea but I just checked my GP records and there was nothing.
update - I just talked to a receptionist at my GP surgery. She has emailed me the ECG result. I can see there are 277 SVE's (have no idea if that's significant or not??) and the 11 sec AF episode. The cardilogy referral letter, apparently isn't actually a referral. The GP is asking for advise on whether to refer me or not. She said hopefully they'll get back to my GP soon, and then either my GP or admin will write to me...
Delays seem to be par for the course, ct scan in July finally got the results early November. Consultant said they'd tried to contact me three months ago 'but you were out', which was untrue because I have a phone which records who called. I got more information from the two paramedics who came in the ambulance called by 111 today after having chest pains during the night. They were wonderful and after all the usual tests put my mind at rest. It is the not knowing that is almost as bad as the condition. Take care and best wishes.
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