Holter Monitor Question

[rosewynds]

Hi All,

I was fitted this morning with a Holter monitor, I have to wear it for 24 hours. To anyone that may know, are they accurate about picking up every skipped beat etc. ?

I went to the doctor last thursday, I have been having what I call fluttery feelings and it feels like my heart is skipping beats. I have also lost 97 pounds since January, my doctor says the weight loss may have caused all this, or my valve has gotten worse. I also have been getting light-headed and mild shortness of breath, mainly when laying down at times.

Anyway, I also have to have another echo next thursday, to check the valve. I was at 1.6 cm a year ago, could I have progressed very far, in that short of time? I hope not.

Sorry, so many questions, I'm just worried.

Lisa

Aortic Stenosis

 

[Ross]

Yes the Holter should pick up that abnormality. Yes a valve can go south rather quickly when it wants too. Should you worry? Why? Can you change anything by worrying about it? Take it one step at a time and try to relax about all of it. Stress certainly isn't going to help matters any.

I'm the King of worrying so turn your trouble to me and let go of it yourself.

 

[fyrfytr]

Hi Lisa,
Like Ross said, the monitor should pick it up. I wore one a year ago and it gave the Dr's. what they were looking for. Your valve can change in that amount of time. I had a gradients of 50 in my aortic valve a year ago and in April of this year it was 30. I hope everything turns out OK for you. Keep us posted when you find anything out. Take Care.
Dave

______________________________________________
Surgery: 4/21/03
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
AVR, with a St. Jude Mechanical
Heart Center of the Rockies

 

[Johnny Stephens]

Hello, Lisa...this type of thing is exactly the purpose of the Holter monitor.

As for the valve changing rapidly - I went from a "not medically significant" murmur and mild stenosis to .6cm effective area and "you need surgery within a month" in just under 2 years.

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi lisa!
sorry to hear you are having "flutters". the holter will definitely show any irregularities and skipped beats among other things.
as far as the valve progressively getting worse that quickly, i agree with all the others here....
joey's valve went from 1.3 cm to about .5 in a matter of 6 months or so. we couldn't believe it!

as ross said, we all know this is a really frightening thing. try and put the worry out of your head as best as you can.
it sounds so simple, but this is something that is fixable.
we'll all be here if you need info, hand-holding, and support.
please let us know what happens after you get the holter results.
all the best, sylvia

 

[rosewynds]

Thank you everyone for your replies, everyone's support helps so much. I know in my head I shouldn't worry so much about it all, that it is fixable if it has progressed.

My whole life I have never had anything worse than a common cold, and then to have this thrown at me is still after a year's time, quite a shock. I will have the results from my holter and echo on August 20th, I will keep you all posted as to what I find out.

Again, thank you all so much, your words help more than you know.

Lisa

 

[ccrawford]

Lisa- With the holter and an upcoming ultrasound, they'll get you dignosed in pretty short order so I don't think you have much to worry about on that accord. I'm a guy who didn't have a family doctor, smoked two packs of cigarettes a day, and was very very self reliant about everything. When my diagnosis came down, it pretty much shook my roots big time. I encourage you to read as much as you can on the site, and ask as many questions as you can which will help prepare you. You won't believe how helpful all the people on the site can be and you are in good hands. Keep us informed as to how it goes, and we'll be with you all the way. Chris

 

[ILoVeNY25]

Hi Lisa, I had to wear a holter monitor in June for very similar symptoms. But I didn't feel so much of a flutter but more just straight out skipping beats. The monitor picked up all the skipped beats and more. Even when I didn't press the little button. Don't forget to get a copy of the written report. Plus, It's also very interesting to see. My PCP told me, well there's not really anything unusual but your heart skips a lot of beats. LOL. I laughed at him and then took the results to my cardio. Well anyway, I hope it's nothing serious, and I wish you all the best. Take care and please let us know how it goes.

 

[Mara]

Lisa

I had the Holter monitor several times (probably 4 times) before my surgery for PVCs (premature ventricular contracts, kind of skipped beats and fluttery feeling). THey picked up everyone of them.
I have also done the event monitor, which is one you wear and then when you have the skipped beats you call in and the monitor transmits the EKG to the doctor.


My cardio told me the PVCs were not dangerous, just annoying because everyone gets them now and then. They just were bugging the heck out of me. But since surgery, I haven't had any.

Good Luck

 

[kevin21]

I had to wear one of those things, they suck!!!

Try sleeping "normally" with 500 wires on you. Give me a break!!

I wrote down that I had "palpitations due to trying to punt the holter monitor." The nurse thought it was funny, not the doc.

They said they couldn't find anything when I wore mine...

 

[terry40]

Hi Lisa

Hi Lisa

I've had so many holter moniter testings done I've lost count, I've also had an event moniter done 2x, you keep that one for a month.

They are trying to determine what type of irregular heart beats you are having, some can be controlled with medication, as long as the leads/wires stay attached and you still hear the monitor humming, it's working.

I hope everything work out, take care

Terry