24-Hour Holter ECG

Holter provides a painless method to record your heartbeats without spending much time at the doctor’s office.

It is a small portable electrocardiogram (ECG) device, approximately the size of a small digital camera. Holter records your heartbeats for at least 24 hours, which your physician can review later. It is used to capture all heart rhythm problems. It can show fast or slow heartbeats, skipping beats, or heart fluttering.

Holters also provide information about your average pulse throughout the day. Holter ECG is intended for monitoring the patient’s heart rhythm during their daily routine. You can wear it at work, at home, during training, or during all activities where you notice any symptoms of irregular heart function. It is positioned so it will not interfere while performing all your duties, even when resting or sleeping.

Why is Holter ECG Important?

Possible heart disturbances or problems may not appear during the doctor’s examination, considering the test lasts only a few minutes, which is why many physicians may request wearing a Holter for a longer period to detect possible irregular heart function, as Holter ECG measures heart rate count and rhythm. Holter ECG can provide more information that could explain dizziness and “pounding” of the heart or feeling that your heart is fluttering, as well as many other health conditions caused by irregular heart function. It can also provide information on whether the heart receives oxygen, how much is normal and needed, whether heart medications are effective, and whether a pacemaker is functioning.

The ECG device measures your heart activity at that moment while performing the test, but your heart rhythm and symptoms can change throughout the day, which is why Holter is needed for complete and accurate information about your heart condition. Holter ECG continuously records your heart for 24 or 48 hours.

What are the Risks of Wearing a Holter?

When it comes to wearing a Holter, there are no risks nor does it cause pain. Electrodes are attached to the chest using adhesive patches. The adhesive patch may possibly cause itching or irritation, but when you inform your doctor about it, this problem will be easily resolved. Generally, bathing or swimming is not recommended while wearing it.

When you complete the Holter wearing period, you will return it to the medical technician as previously arranged, and if asked to record results during wearing, doctors will analyze your data together with it and decide on further treatment if needed based on the results.