During your Holter monitoring, your physician
will be looking at a number of factors in order to get an overall
picture of how your heart is functioning. Often, abnormalities
do not occur during the brief time that a standard electrocardiogram
(ECG) is done. A Holter monitor records ECG information over an
extended period of time in order to "capture" and then
diagnose abnormal heart rhythms that may occur as you go about
your daily routine.
Your monitor will help assess recurring symptoms
such as dizziness, fainting, and palpitations (rapid heart beat)
to determine whether they are caused by an abnormal rhythm. It
may also show whether or not certain areas of the heart muscle
are receiving adequate blood supply, and will help your physician
evaluate the effectiveness of medications or pacemakers that help
control heart rhythms.
Preparation
Your physician will arrange to apply your
monitor either at the hospital or in his office. You won’t
need to do anything to prepare, however it’s a good idea
to wear a blouse or shirt that fits loosely and buttons in the
front.
First, several areas on your chest will be
shaved (if necessary) and cleaned. Then the Holter monitor —
a small, portable tape recorder — will be strapped to your
body. Several electrodes (small, sticky pads) will be placed on
your chest and connected by wires to the recorder. The staff will
check the system before you leave to make sure it’s working
properly. You’ll be given exact instructions about what you
need to do in order to make this Holter monitoring accurate and
worthwhile. If you have any questions about the monitor itself
or about what you’re supposed to do, be sure to ask before
you leave with your monitor.
Procedure
During the 24 hours you are wearing the monitor,
you should follow your usual daily routine. You’ll be an
important part of the monitoring study because — just as
the Holter monitor is recording the activities of your heart —
you’ll be recording your routine activities and any symptoms
that you are experiencing in a special diary. Together, these
reports will give a detailed picture of what you do during a typical
day and how your body reacts to each activity.
It’s very important to make sure you
record everything in your diary:
• ALL ACTIVITIES, such as walking,
climbing stairs, bowel movements, sexual activity, emotional upsets,
taking medications, etc.
• ALL SYMPTOMS, such as shortness of
breath, dizziness, fainting, palpitations (fluttering sensations),
or chest pains.
• START AND STOP TIMES of every activity
and symptom.
This constant diary-keeping may seem difficult
at first, but if you keep the diary with you at all times, you’ll
be surprised at how fast you’ll fall into a routine of
quickly jotting down the important information.
While you’re wearing your Holter monitor:
• Don’t shower or take a bath,
as the electrodes and recording equipment should not get wet.
• Try to sleep on your back with the
recorder positioned at your side so the electrodes don’t
pull off.
• If the recorder light flashes, one
of the electrodes or wires may be loose. Press on each electrode
to make sure it has solid contact with your skin.
• If one of your electrodes comes off
and you can’t replace it, notify the staff where you received
your monitor.
• Avoid electric blankets, magnets,
metal detectors, and high-voltage areas (that may interfere
with the recording).
• If you use a microwave appliance,
don’t stand close to it during operation.
These instructions are given to make sure
that the heart’s activities are recorded accurately, and
are not distorted or interfered with by anything. Holter monitoring
is very safe, and there is no risk involved to you.
Your Results
You may remove the monitor and straps on your
own before returning them to your physician’s office or the
hospital. Don’t forget to bring your diary with you, as what
you have written about your activity and symptoms are just as
important as what the monitor has recorded about your heart’s
rhythm. The ECG recording will be played back and analyzed, along
with the entries in your diary, with final test results usually
available within a few days. Your physician will discuss these
results with you. Depending on what your study shows, more tests
may need to be scheduled.
Your Good Health
Regardless of the results of your study and
the course of treatment your physician recommends, you play an
important role in staying healthy. Be sure to keep all appointments
for exams and follow-up tests. Follow your instructions, don’t
hesitate to talk about your concerns, and immediately report any
new symptoms.
As always, if you have any questions about
your health, be sure to ask your physician.
If you are a Munson Healthcare patient and have a compliment,
concern, or complaint, please contact one of our Patient
Liaisons.
