Holter Monitoring
Why is the doctor
performing this procedure?
A Holter
monitor is  used to monitor and record the heart’s electrical
activity over a 24 hour period. An Event Recorder is the same type of
monitor but allows recording of abnormal heart rhythms for one to two
months.
What is the
procedure?
The Holter monitor is a small ambulatory, portable ECG machine that can
provide the following information:
- The heart’s rhythm
over a 24-hour period, during normal activities, or recording gets
triggered by the patient when a specific event occurs. An event
recorder can be used for a much longer period of time.
- Correlate any symptoms
(chest pain, palpitations, etc) the patient experiences with the
heart’s electrical activity at that time.
- Record any abnormal heart
rhythms (arrhythmias) that occur, providing diagnostic information
about the type of arrhythmia, how long it lasts, and what might
trigger it.
- Determine how well
anti-arrhythmia medicines are working.
The Holter monitor is worn over a 24-hour period while the
patient does all of his/her normal activities. Small, sticky patches
called electrodes are attached to the chest. Wires travel from the
electrodes to a small portable box that is worn on the belt or shoulder
strap. The box records and stores continuous heart rhythm data
transmitted by the electrodes. The patient must keep a diary of activities,
and of any symptoms, that occur while the monitor is in place. This will
allow the doctor to correlate activities with symptoms with the
heart’s electrical rhythm at a specific point in time. The
patient will also be advised of how to care for the monitor while wearing
it. When the 24-hour period is completed, or
longer for the event monitor, the patient returns the Holter
monitor to the hospital, and a technician does a computerized analysis of
the Holter monitor data to prepare a thorough
report for the physician.
Useful
tips for better recording quality.
·
Wear a two piece outfit, preferably a shirt with buttons
on the front
·
Try to sleep on your back with the recorder positioned
at your side so that the electrodes are not pulled off..
·
Do not get the electrodes, wires or monitor wet.
·
If you have a hairy chest, the areas where the
electrodes are placed will need to be shaved.
·
Avoid electric blankets, magnets, metal detectors, and
high voltage areas such as power lines. Signals from such devices may
affect recording.
·
It is important that you keep the electrodes and wires attached
for the entire recording. If an electrode comes off, stick it back on your
skin.
Where
is the test performed?
The Holter monitor is placed and removed at the
hospital. The actual testing period occurs at the patient’s home
(or wherever the usual daily routine dictates).
How
long does this test take?
The holter monitor placement takes about 10 to 20 minutes
to complete.
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