Defib News
The Arrhythmia Service Newsletter
August 2010 – Issue 10
Thank-you to all of you who elected to receive this newsletter by email. This saves the hospital about £2 a year per person, so please let us know if you would also like to go green!
Our last meeting on the 7th June was again well attended. We had a lively speaker, Lawrence Rayment from the BHF Somerset Heartstart Project. Lawrence talked about the importance of early recognition of when someone has a cardiac arrest and what you can do to help. For anyone who was unable to make it but would like to learn more please contact us, or alternatively sign up for free classes with the Heartstart project, everyone is welcome! www.heartclass.co.uk. If you don’t have the internet at home we can forward your details on your behalf. For all those of you who attended I hope you have been doing your singing practice! There will be a prize at the next support group meeting for the first person who correctly answers the following question.
What is the significance of learning the Nellie the Elephant song ?
Travel Insurance
BHF website (also has travel advice)
http://www.bhf.org.uk/living_with_a_heart_condition/recovery/insurance.aspx
Arrhythmia Alliance
http://www.heartrhythmcharity.org.uk/living-with-an-arrhythmia/travel-information
North Gloucestershire ICD Support Group
http://www.icd-gloucestershire.org.uk/html/travel_insurance.html.
For local hospital information when abroad:
Medtronic
http://www.medtronic.com/traveling/
Boston Scientific
http://www.bostonscientific.com/webapp/emarketing/travel/Dispatcher?REQUESTTYPE=TravelSearch
If you do not have internet access or have a Biotronik or St Jude ICD device please contact the Arrhythmia Nurses for further information.
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Somerset ICD Support Group Meeting
Thursday 16th September 2010
10.00 – 11.30
Taunton Library Meetings Room
Topic: Managing Stress and Relaxation
Please remember to book your place via the Arrhythmia Nurses using the details overleaf as numbers are limited, family and friends welcome.
This edition sees another of our series of ‘tests’ explained, Jess Osman, Senior Cardiac Physiologist at Musgrove Park Hospital explains.
Treadmill / Exercise testing.
The ETT is predominantly used as a risk assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) / ischaemic heart disease (IHD).
The patient should wear comfortable clothing and footwear and bring an up to date list of medication (as some medications may affect the results).
Patients are attached to a 12-lead ECG and a blood pressure (BP) monitor. The patients’ ECG is recorded continuously throughout the test and the BP is recorded at least every 3 minutes.
The test will involve walking on a treadmill for as long as the patient can manage or until there are significant ECG / BP changes or until their maximum predicted heart rate (MPHR) has been achieved and maintained for 1 minute. The treadmill will start off very slowly up a slight slope. It is a progressive test and therefore every 3 minutes the speed and incline of the slope will be increased. It is however a walking test, and although in the later stages it is quite a fast walk, patients are not expected to run at all during the test. If patients have not walked on a treadmill before, it may feel a little strange; they can ask for a demonstration if preferred and also the staff will advise them how to adapt their technique once on the treadmill!
The test is usually led by a Senior Cardiac Physiologist (CP) accompanied by one other member of staff.
The patient is asked to inform the CP of any symptoms e.g. chest pain, shortness of breath etc… whilst undertaking the test.
The CP will look for any significant ECG or BP changes. If certain criteria are met the CP will stop the test.
If there are no significant changes, the CP will encourage the patient to exercise until they achieve their maximum predicted heart rate. The patients exercise capacity / capability may be limited by symptoms or other problems such as bad joints before this HR is achieved. The technician will stop the test at the patients request if the patient feels they really cannot continue.
Results will be forwarded to the Doctor with the CP’s report and the Doctor will decide whether or not further investigations are required, this may include a coronary angiogram (cardiac catheter).
Contacts: Other Useful Contacts
Musgrove Park Hospital Pacing Sister (MPH)
Janice Bailey & Jacqui Kemp (Cath Lab)
Tel: 01823 343595 01823 342067
Cardiac Technicians
01823 342953
Yeovil District Hospital
Sandy Jackson NHS Direct (24 hour)
Tel: 01935384884 08454647