Holter Monitor is a small but incredibly useful wearable devices. These heart monitors track your heart’s rhythm to determine irregular heartbeats. Providing your doctor with valuable information regarding your heart’s condition.
Holter Monitors are portable electrocardiograms. If your doctor needs to track your heart’s rhythm, they may suggest wearing one. It’s a simple and relatively noninvasive method to track your heart for 24 to 48 hours.
Heart diseases and other related medical conditions need to be consistently monitored and treated accordingly. If your doctor suspects you may have heart-related issues or is aware of existing conditions, monitoring is a requirement. 24 to 48 hour Holter Monitors give your doctor access to long-term and highly accurate readings. With this information, they can suggest the best causes of action before it becomes too big of a problem.
When an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) doesn’t provide sufficient information to your doctor, they may recommend a Holter Monitor. Generally, Holter Monitors record the electrical activity of the heart during a 24 to 48 hour period or sometimes longer. The Holter Monitor is attached to you via electrodes. These then measure and record electrical data from your heart. All of this data is then transferred to the Holter Monitor which you will wear on a belt or attached to your clothing. During this process, no electricity is sent into your body, meaning you can go about your daily life. With this information, your doctor can assess your condition at length.
Typically, Holter Monitors are worn between 24 and 48 hours. During that time, the monitor should have sufficient data to give your doctor an accurate assessment. Whilst wearing the Holter Monitor, you can continue with your daily activities unless told otherwise by your doctor. Things like walking, eating and sleeping are permitted unless you begin to feel any negative symptoms.
Depending on the type, some Holter Monitors can be worn when you are having a shower. Always check this with your doctor. Whilst wearing the Holter Monitor your doctor will most likely request that you record your daily activities. Doing so will help to account for any periods of data your doctor wants to look into.
While the Holter Monitor records your heart during the entire period of wearing, other heart monitors may not. For example, other heart monitors such as the Event Monitors only record when you are experiencing symptoms. As such, a Holter Monitor may provide your doctor with more valuable information as compared to other heart monitors, depending on the specifics of what they are searching for. During your consultation process, your cardiologist will walk through the best options with you.
As Holter Monitors track your heart’s rhythm, they are typically recommended for those experiencing heart problems.
Holter Monitors can be prescribed for a number of purposes.
These are just some of the reasons your doctor may suggest a Holter Monitor. Always speak with your doctor if you are unsure why you have been recommended a procedure.
If you are experiencing a medical condition related to your heart, your doctor may suggest a Holter Monitor. These conditions include the following:
Preparing for a Holter Monitor test is relatively simple compared to many procedures. As it is non-invasive, you don’t need to worry about any serious preparations. Unlike many procedures, you aren’t required to fast.
Holter Tests are quite simple and follow a standard set of procedures.
Prior to your Holter test, your doctor will run through everything with you. As there are no requirements or preparations, you can rest easy.
As you have read above, the Holter Monitor test is quite simple. There is no pain involved. Initially, the electrode patches may feel unusual to wear, but you should quickly get used to them. Your doctor will be required to remove hair from any areas where electrode patches need to stick. As with the rest of the procedure, this will be done with care and you will be informed ahead of time.
Following the test, you can now return to your daily activities. Due to their simplicity, there are no real risks involved with a Holter Monitor. There are some cases of patients feeling minor discomfort on the skin and irritation, though this is rare. It is important to note that if whilst wearing the Holter Monitor you feel:
You should speak to your doctor immediately.
Following the Holter Test, your doctor can now assess the results. Your doctor will quickly learn if you have any existing heart conditions. As well as if any medicines you are taking aren’t working effectively. From there, they can suggest further treatment, medicine or tests.
On the other hand, if you didn’t experience any irregular heart rhythms whilst wearing the monitor, you may need to take it a step further. Wireless Holter Monitors and Event Recorders can provide different levels of information that may be valuable to your doctor.
If your results do come back showing that you have a heart condition, your doctor will walk you through the next steps. At Harley Street, our doctors put patient care first, ensuring that you feel comfortable and taken care of during this time.
If you are noticing any of the following symptoms, it’s recommended that you speak to a doctor. The Harley Street doctors are highly experienced in administering Holter Monitors and analysing the results. Providing you with the right care for your situation is crucial. Particularly when it comes to heart conditions. Our dedicated team will be with you every step of the way to ensure that you understand your situation and your options. Booking an appointment at Harley Street is simple, click here to learn more.