How is the Holter Monitor Put On and Worn?Ī technician who will provide you with the instructions needed and will attach the Holter monitor. Holter monitors can be used to diagnose and characterize these disorders. Some people may have uncontrolled fast heart rates from atrial fibrillation or other forms of arrhythmia. Some people may have conditions such as heart block that can lead to a slow heart rate, dizziness and passing out. Other reasons may include monitoring heart rate to see if it is too fast ( such as afib with rvr) or too slow, or to see if ongoing treatments for heart rate are effective. Another common reason is syncope, which basically means passing out. This would include sensations of skipped and extra heartbeats such as PVC’s. After the wearing period is over your cardiologist reviews the tracings. Usually there will be 2-3 leads attached to the chest wall by stickers. Modern Holter monitors are small and easily wearable. In medical terms we call Holter monitoring a form of ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring. The Holter monitor test is useful in picking up heart rhythm problems. The Holter monitor can be worn throughout normal daily activities. However, be sure to record any chest pain, rapid heartbeat, or other cardiac symptoms you have during the testing period.A Holter monitor is a battery operated wearable monitor that continuously records the electrical heart tracings (known as EKG’s) over 24-48 hours. Make sure to tell the technician that attaches your monitor if you’re allergic to any tapes or adhesives.Ī 24-hour Holter monitor test is painless. However, the tape or adhesives that attach the electrodes to your skin can cause mild skin irritation in some people. Wearing the Holter monitor itself has no risks involved. This helps your doctor determine if changes in heart activity are related to your behaviors and movements. You’ll be directed to record your activities in a notebook. You’re encouraged to participate in your normal activities during the 24-hour Holter test. It’s important to avoid bathing, showering, and swimming while you’re wearing the monitor. You’ll get instructions that explain how to take care of your monitor and what not to do while you’re wearing it. Your doctor will show you how to reattach electrodes if they become loose or fall off during the testing period. It’s important to keep the monitor close to your body during the testing period to make sure the readings are accurate. You wear a small pouch around your neck that holds the monitor itself. The metal electrodes conduct your heart’s activity through the wires and into the Holter monitor, where it’s recorded. The leads connect to electrodes that are placed on the skin of your chest with a glue-like gel. Several leads, or wires, are attached to the monitor. It’s slightly larger than a deck of playing cards. It can also help them to see why you might be experiencing other symptoms of irregular heartbeat, such as dizziness, faintness, or feeling like your heart is racing or skipping a beat. If you’re already being treated for heart problems, wearing your monitor can help your doctor determine if your medicine is working or if changes need to be made. These irregular impulses may be referred to as arrhythmias or abnormal heart rhythms. The recordings made by the monitor help your doctor determine if your heart is getting enough oxygen or if the electrical impulses in the heart are delayed or early. The Holter monitor lets your doctor see how your heart functions on a long-term basis. Monitoring for a longer period of time is necessary to record these events. You may experience heart rhythm irregularities that don’t show up at the time the EKG is done because you’re only hooked up to the machine for a very brief amount of time.Ībnormal heart rhythms and other types of cardiac symptoms can come and go. During an EKG, electrodes are placed on your chest to check your heart’s rhythm. It’s also used to look for other abnormalities that may affect normal heart function. An EKG is a medical test that’s used to measure your heart rate and rhythm.
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