Implantable Loop Recorder

[Jackle88]

Hi,

I have been having acute but rare instances of feeling light headed, pass out symptoms over the last few years.

I have been lucky enough to have a Medtronic ILR fitted October last year.

Since January 2024 I was happily going to the gym 6 days a week, mostly symptom free. I had the odd dizzy spells after certain exercises or movements but nothing of concern to me.

Fast forward to 6 weeks ago, I started having more profound dizzy episodes during and after gym sessions causing me to leave and go home.

I also had the dizzy episodes whilst out walking as well and it got to the point where they kept happening enough for me to attend AnE which found nothing of concern. (ECG, bloods all ok)

Since then and until now, I am having daily episodes, feel like utter crap, sitting down seems ok but anything upright, walking, any exertion even putting my washing out causes me to feel weak, lightheaded, hot flushes, limbs feel like they have lost blood. Tachycardia and rate of over 120. This Saturday just gone I had a walk HR of 160-167 and a standing hr still of 120. It was still tachycardia until the next day even lay down it was 100+

despite all of this, I haven’t passed out as such but come very close.

My consultant cardiologist has said that all episodes (not including this past week or weekend unfortunately) that they only see Sinus tachycardia on the device.

He was said this is reassuring.

My question to anyone is…

Given I have symptoms daily, feel very lethargic, dizzy when exerting myself, head feels fuzzy and extremities feels as if I don’t have any blood (if I stand still and walk, my feet get the blood returning sensation)…

Do I rely on the fact that the IRL regardless of activation using the device would catch any arrhythmia or issues and that I am safe? And this is possibly not heart related?

I can’t help but feel very scary (doesn’t help) about passing out and dying - although my cardiologist said there’s zero evidence or likelihood of this happening.

I can’t help but feel this device isn’t doing its job? As I am symptomatic everyday.

[Happyrosie]

your symptoms speak to me of labyrinthitis or Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo, with an added complication of tachycardia. Has this been considered? I’m NOT a medic!

[Jackle88 in reply to Happyrosie]

Hello,

Thank you for your reply.

It hasn’t been considered! They must have thought it was heart related to put this ILR inside me. I’m hoping someone could confirm if the IRL would have picked up anything by now if it was bad?

[PadThaiNoodles]

Your ILR is only a monitoring device. It doesn't do any intervention (like a CRT or pacemaker), so it won't change how often you are symptomatic.

Sinus tachycardia can produce the symptoms you describe. When your cardiologist says it's reassuring that your ILR is showing nothing but sinus tachycardia, I think they're saying that it's not one of the more worrisome arrhythmias (which your ILR would have picked up).

Did your cardiologist mention next steps?

[Gaz22]

I have had spells of going confused, Sweating and going weak over the last 3 years ,Last February I passed out 2 times at work and my arms and legs shaking got taken to ambulance had a brain scan all ok but nobody nows what's happening why I have them, I am having a loop recorder fitted in the new year, Doctor has signed me off work to see if that is causing them due to retire in may 2025