Holter test

[Gary Jackson]

does a normal holter test mean there is no arthymias?

thank you

Gary

[Reenie]

Yes, it means the Holter didn't catch any arrhythmias.

Reenie

[Gary Jackson]

does anyone know if arrymyias are common with HCM? is one put on a beta blocker if there arent arrymyias present?


thank u

[Reenie]

Not everyone with HCM has arrhythmia, but many do. There are many treatments for arrhythmias, medication being one, but it doesn't have to be a beta blocker. There are also surgical procedures that can reduce arrhythmias, ICD's, or other means of reducing them. I hope someone else can give you a little more information.

Reenie

[scottonbike]

For me, I will be in arrhythmia sitting in the doctors office. I get in to see the doctor after having my heart go pitter patter for 4 days and I no longer be arrhythmic. I wear a holter/event monitor for 1 week, no arrhythmia, shortness of breath or any other hcm symptoms. I think I need to wear one all the time.

Scott

[Lisa Salberg]

Actually - NO - it means that you did not have any arrythmias while the holtor was on. You may have arrythmias at other times. This is why it is important to repeat holtors on a regular basis - at least annually. If you think you may have any rythm problems and the holtor did not pick it up you can get a loop monitor for 30 + days.

Take care,
Lisa

[Gary Jackson]

Lisa

thank you but how would I know if i ahve arrthmyia probelms if it ddint show up on holter?

[Lisa Salberg]

Some people feel "palpitations" and that is one clue, others feel lightheaded, some feel "racing". A holtor is a good idea at least annually for most people with HCM. If you really think you are having some abnormal rythm, and the holtor is clear, get a loop monitor for 30 days to try to catch it.

Lisa

[progers]

I have been having one or two arrhythmias each day since my surgery which make me real light headed like I'm going to pass out. So, my cardiologist organised a 24 hour holter yesterday. I went down to the hospital and while I was in the waiting room, I had a real nasty one. I should have already had the holter on by then but they were running late (OF COURSE!!!!!!!!!!) and so I didn't have the holter on to pick it up!

Needless to say, while I was wearing the holter I did not have any of the nasty arrhythmias which have been causing concern (other than the odd PVC and ectopic - I can tell when these happen) . So, the whole thing was a waste of time and I know that I will need to get another one done again. It sucks, because I am really concerned about a particular type of arrhythmia that I have been getting, but there is no record of it and no way to know if it is V-tach or V-fib (i.e. the type of arrhythmias that can kill you!).

I have been told that I should probably get an ICD, but my local cardiologist seems to think they are a last resort. She is not a HOCM specialist, but does have HOCM patients.

Cheers.

Paul

[Sarah]

Well, you can be pretty certain you aren't having ventricular fibrillation because once you go into vfib, eMedicine. com says you only have a few minutes left (unless you are cardioverted).

Vtach is a concern, obviously. Lisa always says a Holter is the best way to cure arrhythmias! Get a long term monitor and see what comes up.

I also think you should get to a specialist. Having a HOCM patient doesn't make you a specialist. It makes you a doctor with special patients.

take care and good luck.

[Reenie]

I agree, ask for a 30 day monitor. Hopefully that will catch one of these yucky arrhythmias.

Reenie

[progers]

Thanks for the messages Sarah and Reenie. I am all too aware that most cardilogists know little about HCM. There are a couple of excellent HCM specialists in Australia, whom I have seen, but the problem is they live in Sydney (a 1 hour flight away), so it is not really practical to have one of them as my regular cardiologist.

The only person I trust is my surgeon - Peter Skillington - who did my myectomy. He has a very good understanding of HCM/HOCM. He is SO attentive to his patients and I was very lucky to have found him. It seems as though everyone in Melbourne knows him and respects him. The problem is that he is a surgeon and cannot act as my cardilogist!

Cheers,

Paul