HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

What Do These Loop Monitoring Results Indicate?

Posted on Fri, 24 Jul 2015

Question: . I got the results from my loop monitor yesterday and my cardiologist says everything is normal. No arythmia detected just some etopic beats and no symptom rhythm correlation. Today I have had a lot if etopic and I am very nervous. However is this connected to my digestion? My stomach has been very uneasy all day and feeling of bloated. Also I get these beats where I feel 5 or 6 very strong and slow beats and then back to normal. What can this be. I did not feel it during the loop monitor but my cardiologist reassured me I don't need any other testing. He says stress related. Can stress be causing 5hese beats?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you for asking!
I read your query and understood your concerns.

Your loop monitoring results are normal. There were recorded only PAC s with no correlated between events and loop recording.

This is a sign that shows that arrhythmia is stress related. Moreover GERD and stomach acidity increase adrenaline release that worsen your symptoms and anxiety.

Please keep in mind that what you feel are pacs and pvcs which are not harmful. You should continue with CBT therapy to relieve your symptoms. Moreover taking antacids and ppis will help with acid reflux.

Hope this was of help!
Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (7 hours later)

Hello I had all cardiac testing done several months ago including holter monitor 48 hour, Echocardiogram, stress test and several ecgs. All tests showed structurally normal heart and some pacs approximately 400 over 48 hours and 15 pvcs. My cardiologists insists these are due to my anxiety. I had a loop monitor put on last week and got the results today which again showed a normal heart with some etopic beats die to anxiety and no symptom rhythm correlation. Over the past while I have been getting a symptom where out of nowhere I will get slow hard beats approximately 6 or 7 and then back to normal. It happens sometimes when I get up from a seated position. For example tonight I was watching television and got up from the couch and I could feel it even in my throat. My heart beat slowed down and I had pressure in my throat and 6 or 7 slow hard heart beats and them it went back up. It feels like the beats were approximately 55bpm. I have been having problems with my stomach and digestion also acid reflux. Can this be a Vagas nerve reaction causing the slow beats?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back XXXX,

Yes you are right, your new symptoms may be related to vagal nerve stimulation. It's a well known fact that acid reflux and stomach pain can cause vagal nerve stimulation which is responsible for bradycardia.

As long as your heart is normal you shouldn't worry about that. It's not harmful and dangerous appart from anxiety that cause to you.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (11 hours later)

Doctor is it not dangerous for my heart to beat at 70-75 bpm and then get the slow hard beats at 50-55bpm. Then it goes back to normal. Can the acid reflux really be doing this? I mean the loop monitor was normal so why is this happening?

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice...

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

It's very common for HR to fluctuate from 70-75 to 50-55 bpm. These findings are within accepted values and never are dangerous and you shouldn't worry about them.

Acid reflux may trigger this by stimulating vagal reflexes that cause slightly bradycardia. The fact that your loop monitoring was normal confirm the fact that acid reflux may be responsible for your symptoms.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Benard Shehu (42 hours later)

Doctor I have one last question. Is it OK to have the irregular heart beat. I mean is it common to have an irregular heart beat but still in sinus rhythm? I'm worried about the bradycardia I experience often throughout the day and I understand my tests show a normal heart but am I at any risk for complications because of the irregular heart beat. With the slow beats I get as well

Answered by Dr. Benard Shehu (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Following advice.

Detailed Answer:
Hi back,

It's normal to percept PACs as irregular pulse and as long as all your cardiac examinations were normal you shouldn't worry about that. It's very common to feel irregular pulse and to have still sinus rhythm on ecg and holter monitoring.

Moreover based on the test results you don't have an increased risk for cardiovascular evenrs compare with other people your age.

Please keep calm and continue with CBT therapy to relieve your symptoms and anxiety.

Wish you health!
Dr. Shehu

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar