Patient Education
What is Holter monitoring?
Holter monitoring is known as ambulatory ECG. It is a device that allows us to review a patient's heart activity for 24 hours. Every individual heartbeat is reviewed for that period.
When is holter monitoring done?
If a patient complains of dizziness, palpitations, skipped beats, etc and the office ECG is normal, Holter monitoring is advised.
What is a Holter monitor? How is the monitoring done?
Holter monitor is the size of a large portable cassette recorder. The heartbeat is recorded on the cassette inside. ECG patches and wires are applied to the patient's chest. This monitor is worn for a 24 hours period while the patients continue to do normal daily activities. The Holter records the heartbeat non-stop for at least 24 hours. The event monitor lets the patient record the irregular heartbeat as the patient feels it. The patient simply has to press a button. The data received is analyzed by the computer to record irregular rhythm disturbances.
What precautions does the patient have to take?
The patient is advised not to take a shower or bath while he wears the monitor. He should stay away from electric blankets, magnets, and high voltage areas such as power lines, which affect the recording. The patient has to maintain a diary to record the symptoms - at what time of the day do they occur and what activity is the patient doing at that time. The patient should be advised not to remove the monitor till the time he is instructed to do so.