Holter Monitoring
The Holter monitor is a device that records your heart rate and rhythm continuously for 24 hours (or longer) while you are at your home. This means that it records each and every heartbeat over that time and gives the physicians at Swedish Covenant Hospital a constant reading of your heart's activity.
Holter monitoring is used to determine how the heart responds to normal activity. Other times, it may be used when a patient is given cardiac medication, has experienced a heart attack or been diagnosed with an abnormal or dangerous heart rhythm.
From this recording, a wide variety of information can be obtained, including:
Day and nightime heart rates
Arrhythmias, or abnormal heart beats
Heart rhythm recordings during any symptoms
How does it work? The Holter monitor is battery-powered and holds a regular-sized cassette tape. Electrodes on the chest are connected to wires from the Holter monitor, which is carried with the patient for the recording period. The electrodes pick up the electrical impulses of the heart, which are then recorded by the monitor.
While you are wearing the monitor, you will be asked to keep a log of your daily activities—what you did and at what time. This will help the doctor figure out what you were doing during times when there were abnormal readings.
What should I expect? Holter monitoring is a painless test, since it is a recording device and does not send out electricity. You will need to go into your doctor's office to be fitted for the monitor. You may continue normal activities while wearing the monitor. After 24 hours (or more), you will go back to your doctor's office to have the electrodes removed.
Are there risks involved? There are no risks associated with the test. However, you should be sure not to let the monitor get wet.
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