help understanding holter monitor

[choice1984]

hi this is my first time on here im just looking for some advice , ive just received my test results from my 24hour holter monitor and the results are this

SINUS RHYTHM
AVERAGE HEART RATE / 87
MIN HEART RATE /54
MAX HEART RATE / 134
RARE VENTRICULAR AND SUPERVENTRICULAR ECTOPIC BEATS
NO PAUSES GREATER THEN 2.0 SECONDS
FOUR PATIENT TRIGGERED EVENTS , CONCIDING WITH SINUS TACHYCARDIA RATES UP TO 134
ON EVENT WITH ARTIFACT ???

im concerned what artifact means ive heard it means there was a odd rhythm
I had this test odered by my doctor cause ive been getting a fast heart rate out of no were but I do suffer from anxiety but my doc just wonted to rule out SVT

im very anxious now cause it said there was a artefact when I pushed the event butten can anyone help thamks in advance

[marlinspike]

I would also add that in random ekgs of healthy people they have usually found that a large percentage of them have PVCs - they just were not aware of them. It is easy to get 'tuned in' to every little heart sensation, when in fact it us normal to have occasional PVCs/PACs. Your heart beats 100,000 times a day, so it would be near impossible for it to be absolutely regular.

[choice1984]

thank you for your reply im glad it is just anxiety that's bad enough I don't think I could handle svt very scary that would be thanks again

[MichelleP_3811]

I had a brain scan once and the results said "unremarkable"  I said, hey, my brain is not unremarkable, it is quite remarkable thank you very much, but it means there wasn't anything worth noting so a good thing.

I would say isolated would be the better term for the ectopics but then that doesn't show the frequency.  Did you keep a journal of what you were feeling and doing at the points you felt the tachycardia?  This would be helpful to know.  A rate of 134 does not indicate the likelihood of an accessory pathway svt but possibly some sort of tachycardia caused by stress or other outside influences like thyroid issues, electrolyte issues, or dehydration issues.  The biggest hallmark of an accessory pathway svt is that they start and stop in one beat.  If it ramps up and down then it may be more stress related.  Even runs of ectopic beats can feel like they start and stop in an instant but there is no mention of either pac or pvc runs so that is likely ruled out.  And yes, artifact means something appears to have interfered with the signal, possible movement but it needs to be interpreted by a cardiologist for all of this to be verified.  Best of luck getting an handle on your tachycardia.  Do you have a tendency towards low bp?  If so discuss with your doctor about possibly adding some sodium to your diet.

[choice1984]

yes your right why cant they just say that it just scares you with there wording doctors for you

[tom_h]

Artifact = Junk

I was initially freaked out by the term "Rare" until I found out it meant "hardly any at all".  Why can't they just say that!?

[choice1984]

hi thank you for your reply I feel a lot better now your right im sure my doctor would have mentioned something if it was bad thank you again for all your advice I feel a lot better  

[marlinspike]

I am not 100% sure, but I think with artefact means the monitor was affected by external factors eg outside electrical interference. Looks like an OK report to me. I wish I had 'rare ectopic beats' ))). If there had been something serious or urgent I am sure you would have been asked I'm for an urgent appointment.

[choice1984]

hi thank you for your reply , I also hope someone knows what artifacts means its giving me a lot of anxiety but im trying not to stress to much the doctor wasn't very helpful when I saw her about the results

[Jerry_NJ]

Welcome to this Community.

I don't have any direct answer but think overall the report looks very good, healthy.  

Hope someone with direct knowledge about "artifacts" will reply.