Ambulatory Holter Monitoring
A holter monitor is a battery-operated portable device that measures and records your heart’s activity (ECG) continuously for 24 to 48 hours or longer depending on the type of monitoring used. The device is the size of a small camera. It has wires with silver dollar-sized electrodes that attach to your skin.
How the test is performed :
Electrodes (small conducting patches) are stuck onto your chest. These are attached by wires to a small recording monitor. You carry the Holter monitor in a pocket or pouch worn around your waist. The monitor runs on batteries.
Note : It is very important that you accurately record your symptoms and activities so the provider can match them with your Holder monitor findings. Electrodes must be firmly attached to the chest so the machine gets an accurate recording of the heart’s activity.
While your wear the monitor, it records your heart’s electrical activity :
- Keep a diary of what activities your do while wearing the monitor, and how you feel.
- After 24 to 48 hours, you will return the monitory to your health care provider’s office.
- The provider will look at the records and see if there have been any abnormal heart rhythms.
While wearing the device, avoid :
- Electric blankets.
- High voltage area.
- Magnets
- Metal detectors
Continue your normal activities while wearing the monitor. Your may be asked to exercise while being monitored if your symptoms have occurred in the past while you were exercising.
