What is Holter monitor

A Holter monitor is a portable device that helps detect cardiac abnormalities.

Invented by Dr. Norman J. Holter in 1949, a Holter monitor tracks the electrical activity of the heart for 24 hours or more. Holter monitoring is much more likely to detect heart arrhythmias than a conventional electrocardiogram (EKG), which tracks your heart rate for less than a minute.

A Holter monitor may be worn to evaluate chest pain or dizziness, or to detect an irregular heartbeat. A patient who has a pacemaker may wear it so his or her doctor can check the heart’s activity. Holter monitoring may also be done to determine whether specific medications are working properly.

It takes about 10 minutes for a technician to attach the monitor. Circular white patches, which are the EKG electrodes, are applied to a patient’s clean, dry chest. Thin wires are then used to connect the electrodes to a small recorder. The recorder is easily secured to a patient’s belt, or slung over the shoulder. The test is painless and completely safe. In fact, it’s really no different from carrying a small tape recorder around for a day or so. The heart’s electrical activity is recorded digitally inside the machine. The only restriction is that you must keep the device dry.

After a patient is outfitted with a Holter monitor, she will be told to go home and go about her usual activities. In addition to wearing the monitor, many patients are asked to keep a diary of activities, along with symptoms that might occur. This helps pinpoint problem areas.

The more modern units are able to transmit their results over a telephone to a physician’s office.

After your doctor has reviewed your report, you will get the official results. If the monitor shows a very slow or irregular heart rate, a pacemaker may be recommended.