Holter Monitor
If your heart seems to skip a beat, race, or work a bit too slow, you could have a condition known as arrhythmia. Your doctor might suggest you wear a device called a Holter monitor. 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. The Holter monitor and other devices that record your ECG as you go about your daily activities are called ambulatory electrocardiograms.
A doctor may ask for Holter monitoring if a person has symptoms such as:
• a fast or slow heartbeat
• dizziness
• weakness or fatigue
• chest pain
Why might I need a Holter monitor?
Some reasons for your healthcare provider to request a Holter monitor recording or event monitor recording include:
• To evaluate chest pain that can’t be reproduced with exercise testing
• To evaluate other signs and symptoms that may be heart-related, such as tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting
• To identify irregular heartbeats or palpitations
• To see how well a pacemaker is working
• To determine how well treatment for complex arrhythmias is working
What are the risks of a Holter monitor?
The Holter monitor is an easy way to assess the heart’s function. Risks associated with the Holter monitor are rare.
It can be hard to keep the electrodes stuck to your skin, and extra tape may be needed. It may be uncomfortable when the sticky electrodes and tape are taken off. If the electrodes are on for a long time, they may cause tissue breakdown or skin irritation at the application site.
