24 hrs Holster test results - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

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24 hrs Holster test results

Instructor57 profile image
86 Replies

So, having had this test done on the last day of November and heard nothing back from my GP I decided to ring the surgery this morning.They told me it is usually around a 5 week wait before they get the results but perhaps ring the hospital.

I did this and was then told by the cardio respiratory department that the current waiting time for analysis is 16 weeks

😳😳😳😳😳😳

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Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57
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86 Replies
Goldengirl69 profile image
Goldengirl69

Crazy, I feel ur annoyance x

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toGoldengirl69

As it happens, I'm not particularly worried..But it is a ridiculous time scale

devonian186 profile image
devonian186 in reply toInstructor57

You're not worried perhaps, but the one thing I have learnt over the last year is how many people suffer from anxiety and this sort of delay only makes things worse for them

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply todevonian186

Absolutely agree !I have previously been treated for depression and anxiety

Spooks74 profile image
Spooks74 in reply todevonian186

Hi again Devonian, I completely agree, a year has passed for me and yet no real conclusion reached, I actually waited 6 weeks to get a holter monitor result, now waiting for 4th Jan for a heart ultrasound, I'm waiting for a date to have a CT cardio angioplasty scan to find out what the heck is going on.

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28-

Hello :-)

I have noticed how things seem to be getting worse up till now I had not and it is not good at all

That is an awful long time to be waiting but lets hope that they at least look at them which I am sure they do even though we are waiting ages for the results and if anything looks like they need to get in contact sooner that they do so as the saying goes no news is good news so fingers crossed even though I am sure everything will be ok when you eventually get the results and will let s know when you do :-) x

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toBeKind28-

Thanks !I'm not particularly worried but they also told me that they wouldn't even be looked at

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28- in reply toInstructor57

Hello :-)

Goodness this is not good then is it especially if someone has one done and there is something wrong :-o :-)

Let us know when you eventually get them will be interested in how long it does take :-) x

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toBeKind28-

Yes will do 👍

BeKind28- profile image
BeKind28- in reply toInstructor57

:-) x

Best2 profile image
Best2 in reply toInstructor57

When I’ve had 24 he monitors in the past they told me they are looked at straight away so if you don’t hear anything from them it could mean all is well with results! Fingers crossed 🤞 and I wish you well

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toBest2

That's certainly what I would gave expected but not what I was told

Tos92 profile image
Tos92

It took me a year from being referred for a holter on the NHS last year, to recently having had it done last month. Took 3 weeks for the results to come back however. Hope all is well and the wait time to hear back for yours reduces.

All the best.

Tos

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toTos92

Wow, a year from referral to fitting! 😳😳😳

Parsley56 profile image
Parsley56 in reply toInstructor57

Yes, the same here. After an emergency hospital admission in August I was referred for one of these, still waiting. It's a 6 month wait. And yes, it increases anxiety no end.

Best2 profile image
Best2

hi Instructor57 , it’s awful the waiting times for tests , I had a heart attack in sept was told I would get a follow up appointment in 12 weeks which will be around now , rang the hospital last week and was told it will be more like 6 to 8 months !!! It’s so bad !

bee2 profile image
bee2 in reply toBest2

I had a heart attack in July and no mention of a follow up... now there are ads on tv saying not to go near A&E this winter as they are overwhelmed

Best2 profile image
Best2 in reply tobee2

Hi bee2 it’s just awful the way things are ! Sorry to hear you’ve had no follow up appointment offered ! I can imagine it’s horrendous in A and E at the moment !! Wishing you well hope you are doing ok 😍

bee2 profile image
bee2 in reply toBest2

Thank you Best2 I am doing ok that was my 6th HA so know the score but it has steadily got worse. How are you doing?

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply tobee2

I had a visitor yesterday whose friend had been taken to A&E locally. She was 47 hours on a corridor before being seen. She had dozed off so she thought she was dreaming because she kept seeing soldiers. She wasn't dreaming; they'd called in the army.

bee2 profile image
bee2 in reply toQualipop

Really! I didnt know it was that bad yet 😳

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply tobee2

Nor did I. I was shocked. I know I was there for 32 hours before I was seen last year.

Best2 profile image
Best2 in reply toQualipop

Good god isn’t that awful!!!

Qualipop profile image
Qualipop in reply toBest2

Shocking but I had read in the papers that many places are inundated with flu and virus cases; many of them there because they can't get a GP appointment. But even last Spring a friend who'd had a hip replacement had bad bleeding from it. She was stuck outside the hospital in Evesham in an ambulance for over 27 hours. No wonder ambulance times are so bad

Best2 profile image
Best2 in reply toQualipop

oh that’s just awful for your poor friend, I agree with you a lot of people going to A and E could be seen by the gp but they can’t get an appointment with one I’ve just been to the pharmacy attached to the doctors surgery and there wasn’t a single person in the docs waiting room !!!! It makes me so mad 😡

Jackiesmith7777 profile image
Jackiesmith7777 in reply toBest2

When my husband was ill and kept on cardiac ward Xmas Eve and day in 2017 the consultant said it was the best time to become ill if you had to go to a and e as all of sudden people stopped being ill for those two days and it seemed he was right as it was deserted lol

Hallane profile image
Hallane in reply toBest2

Bit baffled here. Hydration rest and paracetamol for virus or flu. Why go the GP or Aand E

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toBest2

Yes, I heard nothing after my heart attack untill I made several phone calls to chase up a rehab program

Best2 profile image
Best2 in reply toInstructor57

It’s so sad the level of aftercare that’s given to patients!! Keep making calls until you get an appointment it’s what we have to do !!! Good luck and merry Christmas to you 😍

Jackiesmith7777 profile image
Jackiesmith7777 in reply toBest2

My husband s had a stroke because of his AF and the doctor just told us to last week to stop looking at his Apple Watch and he wasn’t going to die from it as he was now on meds . Lovely bedside manner ….not . His ecg on watch was showing 171 , made us feel like we were being silly for worrying

Best2 profile image
Best2 in reply toJackiesmith7777

oh that’s terrible bedside manner!!! Hope your husband is doing well and merry Christmas to you 😍

Rnfrds10 profile image
Rnfrds10

I had mine done in March (also had an echo) for what I thought was an appointment in April 23, turns out the appointment is in April 24 so still waiting for results.

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toRnfrds10

It certainly highlights the pressure the NHS is under unfortunately 😐

Gaz22 profile image
Gaz22

That's a long time, Was you waiting long to have the holster test done, I have been waiting since September 2023 to have a 72 HR holster test done, Good luck on the results when you get them

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toGaz22

Thank you !

And i waited around 8 weeks to have it fitted 😐

Gaz22 profile image
Gaz22 in reply toInstructor57

Ok thanks for the reply

Trudycrew profile image
Trudycrew

My husband had an annual scan in February 2023 for his bicuspid valve which had remained stable for many years

After several calls to find out the result he finally had a phone call from Registrar at 6.30 pm on a Friday evening in June to tell him another problem showed up on the scan which was probably hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and advised what this could mean but first further testing would be arranged to confirm diagnosis. Holter monitor , stress test and Cardiac MRI finally done in early September and just yesterday he received a letter from Consultant with MRI results only which did not show all the expected markers for cardiomyopathy so they will revaluate in 2-3 months and will do a genetic panel as well

Meanwhile we feel uncertain about the future and we worry

😂

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toTrudycrew

I feel for you .... The waiting and anxiety can be so difficult. Best wishes 🤞

Trudycrew profile image
Trudycrew in reply toInstructor57

Thank you

Merry Xmas & A Happy Healthy New Year

En85 profile image
En85

I had one done in May or June, I never got any results and I don't think anyone looks at it as the cardiologist in my local hospital doesn't seem to have time for anything. It's actually absurd that Prince Charles Hospital in Merthyr Tydfil has only one cardiologist.

I went to Italy and paid 132 Euros for mine, results in few days and they stay with me so I can see my records over time and bring them to any consultant in the world I want.

NHS just wasted my time, considering I have to go two times for a holter. They called me again when I was taking flecainide, which was the right thing to do, but as I knew they don't have any doctor to look at it, I refused and just stopped the flecainide.

I said this many times, I don't understand why we are accepting this. I don't understand why there aren't people occupying the hospitals until the government comes back with money and restructuring plan based on top European Standards of public health care.

Stuartc100 profile image
Stuartc100 in reply toEn85

Its not the money thats the issue, you can chuck more money at the NHS and it still wont get better, its ran very poorly, its corrupt, over bloated and totally inefficient, im sure we can all see the waste thats goes on the mind boggles sometimes!

If it was an independent business it would of been stripped down and re-organised years ago, too many people are getting very rich off it and its not the front line staff!

Partner20 profile image
Partner20 in reply toStuartc100

How very true! The funding thrown at the NHS increases substantially year on year but no improvement is ever seen due to the inept and inefficient way this monster is run. No amount of money will ever improve it unless it is completely restructured, which will never happen as long as the unions remain in control. As you quite rightly say, if this was an independent business of any sort it would have collapsed years ago without massive restructuring as it is, in truth, a failing organisation which can only deteriorate unless radical change is made. I can only describe the current (mis)management of this behemoth as shocking, and it would not be permitted in the private sector. I cannot see any way out in the near future.

bee2 profile image
bee2 in reply toPartner20

The NHS as we knew it has gone, sold off. If you have funds you can see your cardiologist privately within days 🥴

Partner20 profile image
Partner20 in reply tobee2

In fact there can now be a wait for private services as the demand outstrips the supply! However, the private sector is not always superior to the state sector where health care is concerned, as it commonly employs the same medical professionals as the NHS. The only difference is that they work out of carpeted premises with flashy drunks machines. Yes, you may get to see a consultant or receive treatment earlier, but that does not mean the treatment itself is any better. I speak from wide experience of both sectors.

bee2 profile image
bee2 in reply toPartner20

Exactly, all the cardiologists I have seen in the past are on the list at my local private hospital!" I did get offered a years preferential treatment if I took part in a study but I had been through enough and the tests were similar to what I've had before and risky.

Hallane profile image
Hallane in reply toPartner20

Agreed. You probably have to wait longer now for private treatment as you did for NHS treatment 10 years ago.

En85 profile image
En85 in reply toPartner20

Again I can't agree more, I find private care in the UK still below the quality of the public health care in Italy. It's sad, I can't stand it 😤

I had to wait 1 month for my first private consultant and he was really no good, his conclusions have since been contradicted by three other cardiologists. The private hospital sent me for pre-assessment before cardioversion the wrong day, I live one hour from hospital so it was over two hours wasted, they repaid the petrol but I found the whole experience so irrespecutful and demeaning.

En85 profile image
En85 in reply toStuartc100

I agree that's why I said it should be restructured on the model of efficient and effective european public health care system. Average life span is the longest where public health care works, same for quality of life.

Partner20 profile image
Partner20 in reply toEn85

But you were talking about the Government providing funding to introduce a European-style system! There has been a year-on-year increase in NHS funding for many years, but most of this money does little to actually benefit patients. Restructuring is absolutely vital if any form of NHS is to survive, but unionisation prevents such a radical step. Not all European health systems are better, and not all European countries have such a large population with such diverse needs. It is not always possible to replicate such systems as what works financially and strategically in one country may not do the same in another. We do not have sufficient doctors or nursing staff, as too few are being trained and too many are leaving their professions, leading to long waiting lists for appointments, for scans to be read, for assessments and treatment. No amount of money can change this, only funding for training will produce any improvement, and that will only be seen many years down the line, unfortunately.

Milkfairy profile image
MilkfairyHeart Star in reply toPartner20

Didn't someone say.... "Lies, damned lies, and statistics"

https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/projects/nhs-in-a-nutshell/nhs-budget
Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toEn85

It's a desperate situation that I don't see ever getting any better 😐

Fullofheart profile image
Fullofheart

I had an appointment at the stroke clinic last week. This was a follow up from an a and e visit in April 2022 (visual disturbance Post ablation).Luckily all OK and it was a reassuring appointment but....

I also waited 12 months for a breast clinic appointment. And had a biopsy 18 months after referral. Also, luckily it was benign. But a bit worrying.

I have to say all my cardiology appointments have been much more timely and I've been really impressed by them.

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toFullofheart

It certainly seems like a postcode lottery

Cymrucurious profile image
Cymrucurious in reply toFullofheart

Me too ... incredible care. I postponed a holter test last week and have already had a new appointment date, reading all the other posts clarifies how fortunate I've been Postcode lottery indeed

Fullofheart profile image
Fullofheart in reply toCymrucurious

South Wales?

Cymrucurious profile image
Cymrucurious in reply toFullofheart

No the beautiful North!

En85 profile image
En85 in reply toCymrucurious

I live in South Wales, maybe it's time to move. My employer has offices in Wrexham and I get an excuse to improve my Welsh 😄❤️

Noodlesalad profile image
Noodlesalad

Waited three months for my test results. I did contact the consultants secretary in the end and she said she to staff shortages and sheer volume it is a three month wait.

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toNoodlesalad

Yes, seems it's the same in most places unfortunately 😕

Prada47 profile image
Prada47

Lets face it no one in the Government or the NHS really care about how people are coping with the NHS delays.

Consultants & Drs are being greedy hence the strikes they are just as skilled as say an Electronics Engineer only they work on peoples bodies so we may die if they get it wrong, but that is no reason to hold the people to Ransom.

Personally I think the Government should publish the salary scale of all in the NHS lets see how much we are paying for the poor service we are receiving !! Next time you go to Hospital don't pay to park use the CEO car parking space afterall you helped pay for it and it Free for them !!!

Rant Over

Shabana1974 profile image
Shabana1974 in reply toPrada47

Hi unfortunately the staff on the ground don't get that much it's ridiculous the big fat bosses get alot. When I worked as an Outreach worker with no Qualifications I was earning 29k (2010) a newly qualified Midwife who has life's in her hand was earning 18k. Alot of money is wasted on red tape. If they need pens they can't buy from Poundland for a £1 they have to purchase from an invoicing company so that10 pens for £1 becomes 1 pen for £10 . It really use to tick me off.

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toPrada47

Interesting perspective!(Said as an ex Avionics engineer) 😁

Prada47 profile image
Prada47 in reply toInstructor57

Our son was Avionics 617Sq not the originals lol

Regards

En85 profile image
En85 in reply toPrada47

Maybe there is a correlation between being an engineer and develop afib? Lol

Aerospace here 👩🏻‍🔧

Dee1161 profile image
Dee1161

Good morning,

I had the 72 hr Holster on the 14/07/23 and didn't get the results until 10/10/23

It's so annoying I hope you don't have to wait much longer x

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toDee1161

😳😳😳Thank you !

World1inmotion profile image
World1inmotion

Hi Instructor 57, irritating to say the least to have to wait so long for the results. It does sound like you're pretty relaxed about it which is good, as I know alot would be anxious. My mum who is 89 and has heart failure was told by her consultant that she needs a 24 hour ecg check. She hadn't heard anything for a month so rang and was told as her case isn't urgent the wait is 77 weeks. She said she'd be happy if she was still alive in 77 weeks. However she isn't that bothered as last time she had one they changed medication and it made her condition worse. Hope your results are good when they eventually arrive.

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toWorld1inmotion

Thank you !

I'm relaxed now as I have been very strict with my recovery, diet and excercise and I can see huge improvements.However I was very anxious in the early days following my heart attack in February

Sljp0000 profile image
Sljp0000

Hi, hope you are well?I'm sorry you're having to wait for results. It's bloody annoying. The NHS arrange tests and by the time someone gets round to analysing them they're out of date anyway. I had an exercise bike test early summer for my heart and lungs. Never got the results. Still awaiting report. Ended up having another one at another hospital. All the many tests I had this year have mostly been done more than once because the original ones were out of date. What a mess amd what a waste of money. The NHS is in such a mess.

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toSljp0000

Absolutely, when results finally come through they probably do not reflect our current situation 😕

BEATbump profile image
BEATbump

That's just not the news you need! Our nhs is broken. 😟

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toBEATbump

Unfortunately it's a shambles

Catkin-blake profile image
Catkin-blake

I had an mri last Jan and had a follow up appointment for the feb where the results weren’t available apparently wouldn’t be for another 3 months. As I needed to know if I could fly I actually phoned the specialist mri unit to find out where the delay was. They had sent off the full report to my hospital the day after the scan. I then phoned the consultant secretary up and they were still waiting for it to be sent to them from some admin area in the hospital. I explained the situation about flying and they said they would chase it. In the meanwhile as I wanted answers I decided on a private consultation with my consultant. All of a sudden my mri report was readily available for a private appointment one week later. Ironically the nhs sec phoned me then to say it was now available. However I wa also told as my case wasn’t urgent or priority I wouldn’t be seen again on the nhs for at least 18 months as my covid associated myocarditis event was now resolved so no watching yearly check for me then, which is nhs guidance ☹️ just going to have to go private if I want any further reviews which I’m fortunate I can do.

Digger0 profile image
Digger0

But they will have had a quick look I'm sure and would have contacted you/GP if owt was wrong.

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toDigger0

I would like to think so but not what I was told

Sillyfroggy profile image
Sillyfroggy

I guess I’m getting not so good news then as booked in with cardiologist 4 weeks after cardiac stress MRI!

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toSillyfroggy

I'm sure it just a postcode lottery!

Shabana1974 profile image
Shabana1974

Wow I feel your irritation. I had 72 hours one a few weeks ago and was expecting the results straight away like I got from Northwick Park. But no still waiting for results from Central Middlesex

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toShabana1974

Last ECG test I had done at my GP surgery looked abnormal (according to them) so they sent the results to my cardiologist.2 months later the Cardiologist sent a letter to me and my GP saying it looks as though lead 2 was loose and to repeat if I was having any symptoms (which I wasn't)

lizzieloo2 profile image
lizzieloo2

I had a 24hr Holter ECG following an ablation and was surprised to get a copy letter to the GP from the arrhythmia nurse in a couple of weeks. All was OK so although it is bad to have to wait so long, you would imagine that if any action was required, you would hear much soon. Having said that, my husband had to have a familial genetic cholesterol blood test done in January this year. The paperwork said the results would take 6 weeks as it has to go to London for analysis but the consultant told us it actually takes 9 months and we're still waiting!

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply tolizzieloo2

I was told they wouldn't even get looked at before the expected timescale 😐

Slidingdoors99 profile image
Slidingdoors99

I know! It’s absolutely crazy but seems to be the way of it these days. 😔😔😔

Instructor57 profile image
Instructor57 in reply toSlidingdoors99

Yes, unfortunately 😐

Silvertail profile image
Silvertail

🙄😲

Hi, unfortunately i think it's a bit of a postcode lottery, how busy the hospital is also recent events over the past few years haven't helped in sorting out the waiting times too. I've been under the cardiologist since 2020 and I've had many test done over the years, been given medication then had it stopped then fitted with an ilr (implant loop recorder) . Most of my appointments have been done over the phone with different doctors who never know my past history, all with their own views one saying I need a pacemaker to another telling me I'm too young. The last time I actually sat down with my cardiologist was back in January 2021 but its all phone appointments now. I'm still symptomatic with episodes weekly and was in a&e in march on a drip to lower my BP and hr but no follow up from my cardiologist. Its just frustrating and sometimes worrying knowing something isn't right but not getting the answers or having the opportunity to sit down with the cardiologist face to face seems the norm these days. So we still wait for appointments to be made then cancelled like mine was last month or for test results to come back months later and with no conclusion to it all. To be fair my hospital hasn't been that bad in getting test done compared to other people's experiences on here i just wish i could actually have an appointment with a cardiologist in person to try and get some answers to it all. They say no news is good news which might be reassuring but also frustrating 🤣. I hope you get the results soon and it's good news.

Manhattan1 profile image
Manhattan1

hi😊.. due to HR rising as high as 172 and falling to 43 my GP requested a 24hr holter monitor test 4 weeks ago. 2 weeks later received appt letter for tomorrow at my local hospital FVRH near Falkirk.. Scottish NHS has its problems but seems they’re definitely not as bad as other parts of the UK

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