Scared and wearing an Cardionet Monitor

[wemerick]

I am a 40 year old woman who just went for a physical. I have had problems with palpitations and skipped beats in the past. I had a Echogram 8 years ago and my Dr. told me there was a bit of valve enlargement, but it was nothing to worry about and I was ok.

Fast forward to 2 years ago, I was trying to get pregnant and I was very stressed out and the palps and strong beats started again. I got an EKG and the results came back fine. (no mention of valve enlargement)

A month ago, I got an EKG and this same Dr. told me my heart rate was slow (56) and there was some valve enlargement. My Dr. suggested a event monitor to check the rhythm of my heart. I am now on my 11th day of wearing an event monitor and I am so scared that I can barely stand it. I am wondering if the Dr. would have called me if I would be showing signs of arrythmias that are deadly or if there was major heart disease going on.

I also wonder if the heart rate on my EKG could be wrong? I have taken my heart rate many many times since this EKG and NEVER is my heart rate under 60. I also was just pregnant (My child it 19 mos old) and each time I was checked, my heart rate was fine.

Is it possible to have an abnormal EKG and an event monitor test that will show I am ok?

I have been reading up on MVP and it seems to fit me, but I am wondering if your heart rate has to be high to have MVP?

I just really want some reassurance that I may be okay....I keep looking at my kids and getting tears in my eyes, thinking I may not be here to see them grow up.

Thanks
K

[chuparosa]

I also had the cardionet monitor (hate that thing.....way too big and noisy) and never got a call on anything either. And I'm glad that I didn't get any calls because I would not want to know because I would freak out.

Also, I have bradycardia. I don't know how slow my heart rate gets, but my doctor said since I am not symptomatic that I should not worry. I'm not on any drugs at all.

[LBBBguy]

Hi there,
Your line about tearing up when you look at your kids... I get that. I had a pretty scary 2009 with not one, but two rhythm problems diagnosed, and I've got a little girl who is almost three and means the world to me. The though of not being there for her and to watch her grow up... yeah. I broke down one night trying to tell my wife about my fears. This heart stuff is scary and confusing and can make you want to check into a hospital and just stay there until the very best doctors have go over every inch to make sure they haven't missed anything, and fix everything they do find. I had this fear that maybe the doctor wasn't looking closely enough, and that maybe he was missing something, something awful. But you know what? He probably wasn't. And yours would definitely not ignore you if he saw anything dangerous. Valve problems... yeah, nobody wants 'em, but there's definitely worse things out there. My advice to you is to not jump to any conclusions, and let your doctor diagnose and take care of you. What you've described doesn't sound awful and I think you're going to be OK, and I don't think you've got death knocking on the door. Try to relax and enjoy yourself. :-)

[Victoria798]

I had a cardionet monitor and had gotten a V-tac and they did not call me. I called my cardiologist the next day.

[twinbee]

The cardio net monitor was able to inform me when I was in V-tach, a-fib,a-flutter, and even let me know when I was having just pvc's and pac's. As far as any other heart problems I do not know what it can or if it can detect anything. That is something you would have to ask your doctor or the cardio net tech.

[twinbee]

I've been on the cardio net monitor a couple of times. Everytime I went into a-fib or v-tach while on the monitor I was contacted by the cardio net people and then my EP. So in my experience they will let you know if you are having any serious rhythm problems. If you haven't heard anything I'm sure everything so far is ok (rhythm wise that is)

[maggiemag]

It is VERY possible for you to have the event monitor show that you are ok. I would also guess that it would be LIKELY that you are ok.  A heart rate of 56 with no symptoms is fine.   EKG's are frequently overread by the machine.  If your PCP read it, that also might be off as he is not a cardiologist.  I wonder why he ordered an event monitor and not an echo.  'The monitor cannot show valve problems.  You very may not have any valve problems.  If I were you, I would ask for a referral to a cardiologist and they can set your mind at ease.