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FWIW my wife suffers from arhythmia (the slow kind) and no tests have ever proved it... but I've been there when shes collapsed from it so I know it happens.
Blimey. IT'S DEFINITELY NOT HIS HRM!
Good luck, Alex!
Although they are not as accurate have you thought of getting a 24/7 monitor like the garmin watches. The accuracy depends on a few things and they work a bit more passivly by dropping the sample interval the longer you are static but you could set it to record activity and charge it everyday/at night. Could give you a better chance of catching something. (there is a massive disclaimer that they are no substitute for a medical monitor!!)
The doctors said that seeing the HR on it's own wouldn't be very useful as a diagnostic tool, ECG is needed as a minimum.
legolam - I didn't know about that (and it sounds a bit invasive), but I'll ask when I get chance.
A mate of mine had some irregularities and was given something to wear for a week to capture what was going on.
I'm guessing this wasn't just a normal HRM, as she had one of them already. I'll ask her where she got it, as I'm pretty sure she didn't pony up £2K herself for it.
Have you discussed with the specialist whether it would be reasonable to use a caffeine gel when you have the device and are trying to trigger the effect?
Alex,
I too suffer from an arrythmia, and have lived with it for 30+ years now. I've also borrowed ECG devices and have never been able to capture it due to the random nature of it.
I think mine is the same as [b]Selled's[/b] - SVT (super ventricular tachicardia), but I've not been diagnosed properly (ie recorded an event). Over the years I've noted that mine is linked to:
- body temperture,
- lack of sleep
- life stress
... and usually occurs just afer I've reduced my energy output - e.g. taking a rest after a steep climb, backing off after a sprint etc.
To stop it, I usually need to get my body temperature to normal, and rest quietly in a corner somewhere.
Like you point out in your OP, once it happens, I'm clear for the rest of that day which is great once I get it out of the way!
Here's a Strava ride with an event occurring (>250) as I was riding if you want to compare https://www.strava.com/activities/240926375/analysis
You'll see that for me, it is a step change, and although the 'stopping' isn't caught as I'm usually 'paused', it is a step change there for me too. THe chart show the rhythm settlign down, but that's due to my effort, and will sit high 160-170 when resting until the step change back to below normal, and recovering to normal within 20-30 seconds.
[b]mikewsmith[/b] mentioned a HRM watch - I've the vivoactiveHR, and it struggles to capture the high HR's. Not sure why - maybe they don't have that range built in.
The weirdest thing for me isn't that it happens, but more that people treat me very differently after they learn about my condition... some even stop riding with me but that might have more to do with my riding 8)
You seem to be taking good advice and making the right steps forward. Like many of the others on here, if you decide you'd like to discuss, feel free to message me.
[b]Good luck with it Alex![/b]
[b]cheers_drive[/b] that's cool that you caught yours on camera so to speak. I've been tempted to walk into a hospital when it's happening to see if they would be able to capture it, but figured they've got enough on their plate already.
[b]Twodogs[/b] : I'd be interested to hear about the ablation if you have time. I've often considered it, as it's very inconvenient to have these events, but the 1 in 100 chance of requiring a pace maker puts me off.
[b]Legolam[/b], thanks for all the input you're providing, it's useful for me too, and I may push for one of the ILR devices.
Yes, they specifically asked me to do anything which might help trigger it so I took one on both rides - at a time that I could remember having it on previous arrhythmia occasions.Greybeard - Member
Have you discussed with the specialist whether it would be reasonable to use a caffeine gel when you have the device and are trying to trigger the effect?
The cardiologist had already given me the go-ahead to have 'normal' amounts of caffeine anyway, but not gels, or double espresso.
Thank you everyone for your concern and advise.
Very interesting that we have a handful of people with very similar-sounding symptoms.
I'll try and get in touch with you all as soon as I get chance.
To be honest, I'm not too concerned at this point. The cardiologist didn't give me much reason to increase my concern either, but it would be nice to get everything confirmed.
Cheers all!
Alex
Littlenose...happy for you to contact me...email in profile
AlexSimon..you too
Just catching up - have emailed a couple of you.
Cheers
Alex