HOLTER MONITORING

What is Holter monitoring?

Holter monitoring uses a small recording device called a Holter monitor. The monitor tracks and records your heart’s electrical activity, usually for 24-48 hours.

Holter monitoring can help your doctor find out if you have abnormal heart rhythms, or
arrhythmias. Arrhythmias might happen rarely, yet it is still important for your doctor to know about them and to treat them.

In all, there are three kinds of tests that record your heart’s electrical activity, each for a different period of time:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG)-done in the doctor’s office. It records your heart rhythms for a few minutes.
• Holter monitoring-records and stores (in its memory) all of your heart rhythms for 24-48 hours.
• Event recorder-constantly tracks your heart rhythms. But it stores the rhythms (in its memory) only when you push the button.

When the heart rhythms from any of these three tests are printed out, they all look the same: the electrical signals look like peaks and valleys. A doctor may suggest Holter monitoring when you have symptoms at least once every day or two.

Your doctor may ask you to write down any symptoms you have during the test. Symptoms might include faintness, dizziness, or fluttering in the chest. You should note the time and how long the symptoms last. Your doctor might also ask you to write down when you exercise, take medications, or get upset. This can help your doctor see if there is a connection between your heart rhythms and your symptoms or activities.

What can I expect?

As many as seven sticky patches called electrodes are placed on your chest. The electrodes connect to wires on the Holter monitor. The electrodes sense your heart rhythms, while the monitor records and stores the rhythms. Since the electrodes cannot get wet, you should shower or bathe before you begin the Holter monitoring, and not not at all during the testing. The Holter monitor device itself size of small portable tape recorder. It fits easily on a belt or can be worn on a shoulder strap.

You should be able to do most or all of your daily activities at home and work while using the Holter monitor. You won’t feel anything while the Holter monitor is tracking your heart rhythms. After 24-48 hours, you return you had any arrhythmias and prepares a report for your doctor.