Event Recorder
What is an Event Recorder?
 An
event recorder is a recording device used to record the heart
rhythm. It is similar to an EKG. You can wear the recorder
over a period of 14 days to 30 days, while you go about your
usual daily activities. When you feel symptoms, you press
a record button and the event monitor records and stores up
to five events of your heart's electrical activity. The event
recorder is about the size of a pager. You can clip it to
a belt, your pants, or place it in your pocket. Two electrodes
(sticky patches) are worn on your chest. A wire attaches the
electrodes to the event recorder. The event recorder is worn
day and night, and continuously scans your heart's electrical
activity.
How do I prepare for the procedure?
There is no special preparation for event monitoring. You
may eat and go about your normal activities, unless you are
told otherwise. Make sure you wear a two-piece outfit to make
the event recorder easier to hook up.
What is an Event Recorder used for?
If you have been having recurrent symptoms, such as dizziness,
chest pain, palpitation, or fainting spells, the doctor will
use an event recorder to help determine if these symptoms
are caused by an arrhythmia.
During an arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm), the heart
will either beat too fast, too slow, or irregularly. Doctors
can diagnose an arrhythmia by obtaining an EKG, a recording
of the heart's electrical activity. Quite often, an arrhythmia
will not occur in a brief period of actual recording like
when you are getting an EKG at your doctor's office. If your
doctor suspects you have an arrhythmia, he or she will want
to record the EKG when you are having symptoms.
If your symptoms are infrequent, you may require the use
of an event recorder to catch your EKG during your symptoms.
How long does this test take?
Instructions and set up take about 15 to 30 minutes to complete.
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