OpenHealth Q&A

It's great that you're proactively addressing your health concerns with the Zio heart monitor. Your experience with chest discomfort, especially after a panic attack, understandably raises anxiety and questions about your heart health. Let's break this down.

Main Points:

1. You have been wearing the Zio heart monitor for a week, documenting episodes of chest tightness.
2. Your prior tests (EKGs and chest X-rays) returned normal, which is reassuring.
3. You're eager to return to your normal activities but worried about the significance of your symptoms.

Explanation: Chest discomfort can be caused by a range of factors, including anxiety, muscle strain, gastrointestinal issues, or even heart-related problems. Since you mentioned that your EKG and X-ray results were normal, this likely indicates that there are no immediate heart issues. However, ongoing monitoring with the Zio heart monitor is a valuable tool, as it can capture your heart's rhythm and identify any irregularities during your episodes.

Given that you’ve documented about 20 instances this week, it’s important to see if any specific patterns emerge related to your activities, stress levels, or physical exertion.

Next Steps:

1. Complete the Two-Week Monitoring Period: While it may feel comfortable to remove the monitor now, it's often beneficial to wear it for the full two weeks as prescribed. A longer monitoring period can provide a more comprehensive view of your heart activity and may capture additional episodes.

2. Track Symptoms: Continue recording your symptoms, including their duration, activities at the time, and any associated feelings (e.g., stress or anxiety). This detailed information can be crucial for your doctor when reviewing the monitor data.

3. Focus on Stress Management: Since you've experienced panic attacks, it might be helpful to incorporate relaxation techniques like deep breathing, meditation, or light exercise (if comfortable) to manage anxiety, which can sometimes contribute to physical sensations.

4. Consider Your Activities: If you feel up to it after a full two weeks, gradually return to your usual activities but stay mindful of how your body reacts. If the tightness persists or worsens, it’s important to reach out to your healthcare provider for further evaluation.

5. Follow-Up Appointment: After the monitoring period ends, schedule a follow-up with your doctor to discuss the data collected, your recorded symptoms, and next steps based on the findings.

It's normal to feel anxious about such symptoms, especially given your past experiences. Remember that you’ve taken an important step by using the monitor and documenting your experiences. Continue focusing on what you can control, and don't hesitate to seek support from healthcare professionals if your symptoms keep bothering you.