WHAT IS A HOLTER MONITOR?

 

A Holter monitor is a small,

wearable device that keeps track

of your heart rhythm. Your doctor

may want you to wear a Holter

monitor for one to two days.

During that time, the device

records all of your heartbeats.

 

A Holter monitor test is usually

 performed after a traditional test

 to check your heart rhythm

 (electrocardiogram), especially if

 the electrocardiogram doesn't

give your doctor enough

information about your heart's

 condition.

 

Your doctor uses information

captured on the Holter monitor to

 figure out if you have a heart

rhythm problem. If standard Holter

 monitoring doesn't capture your

 irregular heartbeat, your doctor

may suggest a wireless Holter

monitor, which can work for weeks.

 

Some personal devices, such as

 smart watches, offer

electrocardiogram monitoring. Ask

 your doctor if this is an option

for you.

 

If you have signs or symptoms of

a heart problem, such as an

irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia) or

 unexplained fainting, your doctor

 may order a test called an

 electrocardiogram. An electrocardiogram is a brief,

non-invasive test that uses

electrodes taped to your chest

to check your heart's rhythm.

 

However, sometimes an

 electrocardiogram doesn't detect

 any irregularities in your heart

rhythm because you're hooked up

 to the machine for only a short

time. If your signs and symptoms

suggest that an occasionally

irregular heart rhythm may be

causing your condition, your

doctor may recommend that you

wear a Holter monitor for a day or

 so.

 

Over that time, the Holter monitor

may be able to detect irregularities

 in your heart rhythm that an

 electrocardiogram couldn't detect.

 

Your doctor may also order a

Holter monitor if you have a heart

 condition that increases your risk

of an abnormal heart rhythm. Your

doctor may suggest you wear a

Holter monitor for a day or two,

even if you haven't had any

symptoms of an abnormal heartbeat.

FOLLOW US