24 hour ECG monitor (results)

Hi All
I had my 24 hour ECG monitor put on yesterday & returned it to the hospital today. Wait for this...I had over 60 episodes of dizziness in that time!! I filled in 3 full pages on the ECG diary you have to keep while on the monitor.

In the diary I had to keep while on the monitor, I found I was having a dizzy spell every 2 minutes while walking!! Each dizzy spell only lasted a few seconds but I got them every 2 minutes while on a walk yesterday & walking to the hospital from the bus stop today. I also got dizzy brushing my teeth, getting dressed, making breakfast. I couldn't believe how much dizziness I had actually, until I wrote it all down! It is mostly happening on exertion but this past week I've also been getting dizzy while sitting down. This happened while on the monitor too so everything is on the tape.

I e-mailed the cardiac registrar who looks after me, with my EP, at the hospital this afternoon, to say the Tilt Test was normal & that I'd returned the 24 hour monitor today. I'm due a treadmill/exercise test in 2 weeks then see my EP in November (3 month follow up post ablation). The registrar e-mailed me back today, when I told him how much dizziness I'd had during the 24 hours, to say he would look at my 24 hour ECG results next week urgently, as soon as they are available.

The dizziness is lightheadedness (not vertigo). I never had it until after the ablation. My arrhythmia symptoms of chest pain & breathlessness have all gone since the ablation, which is fantastic. Just this problem to sort out! I am on no heart medication that might cause the dizziness. Maybe the problem will show up on the tape. Maybe it's another type of arrhythmia.

I'll keep you posted...

Best wishes
Janey

5 Comments

Dizzy

by J.B. - 2010-10-15 07:10:29

Do you have a pacemaker? Did you check your heart rate during one of the dizzy spells? The ablation made changes to your herarts natural pacemaker system so it is possible you are having a heart rate too low to support your physical needs during the dizzy spells.

I'm just making wild guesses, of course.

dizziness

by Pookie - 2010-10-15 11:10:24

Hi.

It's amazing .... what you wrote/recorded was EXACTLY how I felt before I finally saw an Ear Specialist and was diagnosed with a mild form of Meniere's Disease. I say mild because I have a friend with the same disease and he actually goes into a full faint. It was explained to me that my problem is: my eyes find the environment too busy, hence I get dizzy. Walking down an aisle in a grocery store or pharmacy for example (or a hallway with patterned carpet or tile flooring) will send me in a spin.

I'm just guessing that your problem may be the same as mine because for the 1st 2 yrs I blamed my dizziness (or lightheadedness) on my pacemaker and all along it wasn't the pacemaker. It was just a coincidence that it came along about the same time as my pacemaker surgery.

Actually a lot of medical illnesses popped up immediately after my surgery....makes me think, that perhaps our bodies were never made to be "open" and messed with, if you know what I mean. Just my opinion.

But at least your tilt table came out okay, now you've had your 24 hr monitor, so it will take time to rule things out. I know it's hard, believe me, sometimes I had to crawl on my hands and knees to get around, or hang onto walls, and I looked like a drunk out in public, but there is an answer......just keep the hope and believe that they will find the answer for you.

Hugs
Pookie

Just thought of something else....

by Pookie - 2010-10-15 11:10:45

How is your blood pressure? I think I remember reading that yours was on the low side. I was diagnosed with Hypotension Intolerance as well. I was put on a medication but the side effects weren't worth it. Now I have to eat salt (yuck) and keep hydrated and I wear compression hose that look like panty hose....it all helps a bit.

When you see the next specialist also ask about the Epley Maneuver ...it literally takes less than one minute...the doctor rolls you while laying down a certain way because it could be the crystals in your ears. Google it. It would take me forever to explain it on here.

I know I'm throwing a lot of "ifs" out to you, but I was dizzy for 2 yrs straight and had to do a lot of research on my own before I finally got an answer and got referred to the right specialist.

Do you get dizzy while driving in the car either as the driver or the passenger...just curious.

Good luck
Pookie

Further Info

by Janey L - 2010-10-16 06:10:26

Hi. No, I don't have a pacemaker (yet). I was at high risk of having one as my EP thought I had IST & was going to do a sinus node modification in July...but he found I actually had a Focal Atrial Tachycardia, very NEAR the sinus node but not from the sinus node itself. He managed to ablate it all. As this dizziness started after the ablation, I'm wondering if the sinus node was somehow affected as the ablation was very near to it.

I never get vertigo, the room never spins & I have no problems in the car, driving or passenger. I don't get ringing in my ears & I don't feel unbalanced. I just get this lightheaded feeling every few minutes (each episode of dizziness lasts a few secs).

My BP has improved from 80/50 to 100/60 but my dizziness just gets worse in that I'm now getting it while just sitting down & not just on exertion. The Dr's have ruled out BP problems as the Tilt Test was negative.

I'm not on any heart medication at all.

I hope to get the results of my 24 hour ECG monitor next week....I'll keep you posted.

Thank you for all your ongoing help & support, very much appreciated.

Best wishes
Janey

Blood work?

by SEANSMA - 2010-10-21 05:10:22

Hi Janey!
My son was having dizzy spells. I had blood work done and do so each year(diabetes, anemia ect.). Turned out to be anemia. Bumped up the iron and vitamins. No more dizzy boy.
Might get it checked if you haven't.
Smiley!
Lori

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