I'm confused about what my loop recorder is actually doing!

I had a loop implanted last September after commenting to the EP nurse at one of my routine check ups that they had never actually captured an AFib episode when I was in the office having and EKG (they only had my own recordings from my Kardia). She commented that I was a "perfect candidate for a loop recorder". I was happy to get it! At the time I was on amioderone which was controlling my episodes and I subsequently had an ablation Feb. 10. Immediately stopped the amioderone and SO FAR have had no AFib episodes. My loop connects to Medtronic by way of my cell phone which I keep within 10 feet or so at night - have no other device by bedside. I had one time a couple months after it was implanted when I thought something was happening and I noted it on my phone ap. Turned out it was nothing to be concerned about.

After the ablation I did not have to wear a Holter monitor for a while since the EP said I had the loop implanted and he would go by that to determine if I was having any episodes (I haven't so far).

I mentioned to the dr that I would like to have access to monthly reports from Medtronic since it was weird never hearing anything from anybody. He said don't worry they would be notified if there was anything and there is "somebody in their office that reviews" the reports monthly. I was disappointed as I like to track things myself.

Lo and behold a couple months ago the cardiac practice I go to changed the company that provides their patient portal (old one was pretty useless) for our use to access our records and test results. All of a sudden I was able to access Medtronic's monthly reports which download to my patient portal. It's very interesting to read and has been reassuring to me that nothing is going on (so far!). In fact I only knew this because I got a message from the portal site that a new report had been added.

My husband had loop recorder inserted after ablation in 2020. Never could get access to readings. Had it removed in 2024. Paid doc offices monthly for their readings we assume, never given any feedback tho. Spoke with Medtronic rep and supposedly they were aware of the issue. Nothing changed for him tho.

@joannemm30809
Why not go directly to a pace maker?

Just so you know:
A loop recorder is not typically monitored in real-time, meaning it doesn't continuously send every heartbeat signal to a doctor. Instead, it continuously records heart rhythm and only transmits data when it detects an abnormal event or at scheduled intervals, allowing for review later by a healthcare provider; essentially, it acts as a long-term heart monitor that stores data for analysis when needed.
It's a pretty standard recommendation. I refused it about 27 months ago after one dizzy event that turned out to be unrelated to my heart. We are all different, but in my case I felt that my cardiologist was rushing me into it. Check out the downsides of everything. Fortunately, I made the right decision for my situation.
Regards,
Sagan

@siagolfer

A loop recorder has nothing to do with "pacing" your heart. It only records it as explained below.

First of all, is a loop recorder like a heart monitor? I ask because I have had a heart monitor but only for 3 days at the most and it basically it is supposed to monitor my irregular heartbeats as well as any other abnormalities that may arise with the heart monitor.

Having this loop recorder for 18 months is quite a long time and don't feel ignorant because you want to know more about it with your doctor. Your doctor is the specialists to advise you what this loop recorder is supposed to be doing for you.

@lgusan
I agree
Doctors at mayo and local cardiologist are putting a loop on my chest
My targeted therapy has Afib as a side effect and want to monitor . I also have Hypertrophic Myopathy.
I don’t have Afib but will do as doctors prescribed
In my case target therapy has worked well but if there is a problem I can’t take a blood thinner so will have to manage both conditions

@siagolfer

Good luck and I wish you the best and I am sure doctors and specialists know what they are doing medically for you.

Take care and God Bless.

@carculmer I also have a Medtronic loop recorder and also recently had a change to Vector to receive and process the data and actually produce reports that I can see. The new reports are very useful and helpful. For 18 months, I received no info, even though my cardiologist was being paid monthly to review the data from the agents hired by Medtronics.
This old model of milking the patient of his money and not giving the patient any useful information needs to end!
I could see immediately in the new Vector reports that I was in a PVC rhythm about 40% of the time and was a likely cause of my dizziness and loss of consciousness. For the first 18 months, under the original data handler, no mention was made of high PVC burden.

@jaybee51
Wow how maddening! So you mean that your doctor that was supposed to be reviewing the reports every month never noticed your rhythm issue and/or never said anything to you? Isn't this mall practice?