dreambetter

luvthenet,

The sinus node (SinoAtrial node) is the pacemaker of the heart, firing at a regular rate of 60-100 times per minute. Each beat is conducted normally through to the ventricles, thus beating equally together. The R-R intervals are constant, atrial and ventricular rates are equal, the P wave is uniform and in front of every QRS complex, the PR interval measurements fall within the norm and constant across the strip, and the QRS complex measure is within the norm and constant across the strip. In a normal EKG measurement the norm for PRI .12 -.20 seconds and QRS of < .12 seconds. All of that gives the parameters for a normal heartbeat, the technical definition in EKG jargon. If you look at an EKG strip, the complex ... the first hump is the P, the straight line is the PR segment and together all of those are called the PRI (see the normal time range above). Then the small dip, the first negative deflection, is the Q. The long straight-up line, upright deflection, is the R, the line going back-down, the second negative deflection, is the S, and together they are called the QRS (with # range above). Finally, the last hump after the QRS complex is the T wave. All those things are called waves...P wave, S Wave...and so on. Am I putting you to sleep...zzz

An Ectopic beat is an electrical stimulation of cardiac contraction, or the electricity that makes the heart muscle move, beat, but it is beginning at some point other than the SinoAtrial node, the normal spot where the heart fires off a normal rhythm. Simpler language, it's originating from a focus other than the primary pacemaker. A holter has a limited number of leads, those nasty, sticky do-dads you wore. With a 12-lead EKG they can distinguish the type of Ectopic in terms of being a PVC, premature ventricular contraction (of the ventricle), or a PAC, premature atrial contraction (of the atria), and so forth, but you must have one to register it while they run the EKG. Don't worry, everyone gets an occasional premature beat and yours averaged less than one per hour within 24hrs. SupraVentricular, when a beat is supra it is generally over 110-120 bpm and ventricular means that range originates below the atrium. So you were at 130 and that can come from lots of things other than medical including stress, food, sugar and all those bad goodies that make our hearts go pitter-patter. -Hey, did you say three kids? Ya ...Any way, a single ectopic is one but there can be two, a bigeminy, or three, a trigeminy, and so forth. Single is very good and normal. Fluttering is rhythmic, rapid beating of the heart muscle. Now, did you write "fluttering" in your journal, or did they deliver the word? I'm not sure but if sob (is shortness of breath? -instead of what is usually stands for ) and cp (is chest pain?), those abbreviations, then they are corresponding to your journal compared to the actual holter strip. If that is the case, while you notetated these issues your heart was beating at a normal rate firing electricity from the right spot. In other words, your ticker was A-OK! So, if you're feeling things but they are not found on the strip, paralleled, then what you're feeling is a sense coming from something other than your heart. The summary, you had a sinus rhythm which is normal, and your beats are typically averaging 83bpm, with 54 bpm at the slowest (and that resting rate is normal...it can go as low as 40 via AV Junction) and one event at 130bmp which is only 9 to 20 bpm faster than the averaged norm. It's not unusual to have a rapid beat at sleep because there are possible factors that relate to dreaming, sleep patterns, or other things that can be done while one "sleeps." Although your ectopics are undefined, it sounds like the firing spot is not from the ventricles and within the ventricles; instead, they are likely working within the routing system of pathways normal to the electrical system. Granted, there can sometimes be extra branches, but that cannot be determined with a holter, so set that aside until you get more precise tests. It's a good report that can stand alone or have just a little bit more definition. If you feel an instinct that you should know more, then contact the doctor and ask if there are other tests to get a better definition to the ectopics. Feeling something that is not correlating to the holter strip should not bar that. Obviously you are sensing something that was cardiac because the ectopics, faster rate proved that. So, if the doctor tries to put you off...state is this way, that there is evidence and you want it defined, thank you very much...now do it...please . All you want to know if it is truly normal or an actual issue, but some doc's get too technical and forget our rational feelings. Remember that "emotional" factor, and don't let yourself be prohibited from investigating your health. The doc may say you felt things that did not correspond to the strip, and play that mode, but be gently assertive. A lot of people do not feel ectopic beats and slightly faster rates, but that is no reason to ignore the origin. State that to the doc and watch the squirm. As well, should they go away and then return sometime in the future, and you never got any further tests beyond the Holter, then you'll likely be able to easily get more pinpointed tests. Any way, I wish you the best. Double check everything because I may be wrong, hey-it's an opinion, and smile...you have a "good" heart!