CARDIAC EVENT RECORDERS

Some patients with infrequent palpitations may require longer-term monitoring devices using a cardiac event recorder. These are portable hand-held devices that the patient can carry around with them at home and at work for up at a month. Cardiac Event Recorders are quite small, weighing about four ounces, and fit into a patient’s pocket, purse and briefcase.

When palpitations are experienced, the patient either presses the device with their thumbs or places the device against their chest wall, depending on the type of device used, to record their ECG and heart rate at the same time as their symptoms. Cardiac Event Recorders are designed with built in electrodes for ease of use and only need to be activated when symptoms are felt. Use of the equipment and recording procedure will be explained and demonstrated to the patient.