What is it?
A 24-hour Holter monitor is a small, portable device used to monitor and record the electrical activity of the heart over a period of 24 hours. It is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that can help cardiologists diagnose and evaluate a wide range of heart conditions, including arrhythmias and heart palpitations.
The Holter monitor is similar to an electrocardiogram (ECG) machine, but whereas an ECG only records the heart’s electrical activity for a few seconds, the Holter monitor records it continuously for a full day.
Who is it for?
A 24-hour Holter monitor may be recommended for people who have symptoms of a heart condition, such as palpitations, dizziness, fainting, or shortness of breath. It may also be used to monitor the effectiveness of heart medications or to evaluate the risk of certain conditions in people with a history of heart disease.
Before undergoing a 24-hour Holter monitor, patients may undergo several tests, such as an ECG, echocardiogram or a stress test.
What to expect on the day?
On the day of the 24-hour Holter monitor test, patients will come to our rooms to have the device attached to their chest. The device consists of several small electrodes that are attached to the skin using adhesive pads. These electrodes are connected to a small recording device that is worn on a belt or shoulder strap.
We ask you to wear the monitor for a full 24 hours, during which time they should go about their normal daily activities, including sleeping and exercising. You will be given instructions on how to keep the monitor dry, as water or sweat can interfere with the recording.
Throughout the day, the Holter monitor will record the electrical activity of the heart and store the data for later analysis by a cardiologist. You will be asked to keep a diary of your activities and symptoms during the monitoring period to help the cardiologist interpret the data.
After the 24-hour monitoring period is complete, you will return to our rooms to have the device removed. The data will then be analysed by our cardiologist, who will use the results to diagnose or evaluate the patient’s heart condition.
Overall, a 24-hour Holter monitor is a safe and non-invasive diagnostic tool that can help cardiologists evaluate and diagnose a wide range of heart conditions.