understanding what's going on

[GraunReader]

I've had a mild arrhythmia for years, and now it's much more frequent, so I'm trying to understand what's happening and if I need to take any action. I've been to my GP to talk about it a couple of times over the past 2 years and had an ECG on each occasion, but entirely predictably, the symptom was missing during the couple of minutes of both the recordings. What's the best way forward?

[cotonh]

Lots of people on here seem to wear a Holter Monitor over 24 or more hours. There is quite a queue for them, my husband was referred for one in November and got it in March and the results about 3 weeks later.... There are probably other tests too that others will tell you about.

A Holter monitor is a battery operated wearable monitor that continuously records the electrical heart tracings (known as EKG’s) over 24-48 hours. The Holter monitor can be worn throughout normal daily activities. The Holter monitor test is useful in picking up heart rhythm problems. In medical terms we call Holter monitoring a form of ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring. Modern Holter monitors are small and easily wearable. Usually there will be 2-3 leads attached to the chest wall by stickers. After the wearing period is over your cardiologist reviews the tracings.

When is Holter Monitoring Used?

The most common reason is palpitations. This would include sensations of skipped and extra heartbeats such as PVC’s. Another common reason is syncope, which basically means passing out. Other reasons may include monitoring heart rate to see if it is too fast (such as afib with rvr) or too slow, or to see if ongoing treatments for heart rate are effective.

Some people may have conditions such as heart block that can lead to a slow heart rate, dizziness and passing out. Some people may have uncontrolled fast heart rates from atrial fibrillation or other forms of arrhythmia. Holter monitors can be used to diagnose and characterize these disorders.

[Driver11]

HiYou either need a 24 hr halter monitor or be referred to a cardiologist for them to advise

[paintbook]

I had a similar problem, you can go on forever like that with AF not being diagnosed properly. I bought a Kardiamobile, you can then get an immediate recording of the event and have positive information to show doctors. I bought the cheaper one. It is quick and easy.

[readyabout]

I had similar problems, ECG are not a lot of help, and GP may not fully understand them, being with Benenden Health, I went privately to a Cardiologist, had a 7 day monitor, and an EchoCardio gram, the upshot was, I was advised to have a Pacemaker, which I had about 3 months ago under NHS. The Cardiologist fee was not as much as I thought, so well worth enquiring local to you. I chose a Cardiologist who seemed the best (and was), and also worked in Cardiology at local NHS hospital.