Holter Monitor

A 24 hour Holter monitor is an ECG recorded over a 24 hour period whilst you are at home undertaking normal everyday activities. This will record every heartbeat during that period, including during sleep and activity. 

A Holter monitor is performed as part of the evaluation of palpitations or any suspected abnormal rhythm of the heart that is intermittent. It may also be done to assess whether the heart goes too slow or too fast from time to time, to investigate dizziness, blackouts or under certain other cardiac conditions. If the suspected abnormality is less frequent than daily, it may be that your doctor requests an Event Monitor.  

How is a Holter monitor performed?

At may practice I outsource Holter monitors and will organise for a 3rd party to perform these tests.

A Holter monitor is performed by attaching several ECG dots to the chest wall and attaching these to a small computerized recorder. This can be worn over the shoulder with a strap or placed in a pocket underneath ordinary clothing. Having the Holter monitor attached takes approximately ten minutes.

During the 24 hour period you are encouraged to follow a normal day’s activity, including performing any activity that may have provoked youre presenting symptoms. However, the recorder must not get wet and therefore showering or water activities are not permitted. In view of this, it is recommended that you shower prior to having the Holter attached and wait until after the Holter monitor is removed before your next shower.

Depending on the type of recorder, it may have a button to press at the time you may experience any symptoms, such as palpitations, and it is recommended that you keep a patient diary of any symptoms felt during the 24 hour period so that these can be correlated with the heart rhythm at that particular time.