Holter Monitor

[MichaelJH]

A few recent replies suggest that there is some confusion as to what a Holter Monitor is. A Holter Monitor is a small, battery-powered medical device that measures your heart’s activity, such as rate and rhythm. Your doctor may ask you to use one if they need more information about how your heart functions than a routine electrocardiogram (ECG) can give them.

Twenty-four hour Holter monitoring is a continuous test to record your heart’s rate and rhythm for 24 hours. The test may be carried out for longer periods like 48 hours or 7 days. It has electrodes and electrical leads exactly like a regular ECG, but it has fewer leads. It can pick up not only your heart’s rate and rhythm but also symptoms of an irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia. If you experience chest pain you should note the time as there may be some correlation.

It does not have a cuff. These are used by 24 hour BP monitors although the test is occasionally carried out for longer.

[Love101cats]

I am waiting for a 24 hour monitor. Some people seem to stay in hospital for 24 hours then occasionally sent for immediate pacemaker. I doubt that happens now but am I likely to have the monitor on at home? I've had a recent ECG and it wasn't so bad I needed an ambulance but there were spikes of 100bpm which concerned them. When I was admitted last time my bpm was 115 but of course the problem was that they couldn't get it to stable so I am a bit concerned. They keep saying that the answer is not a pace maker but bearing in mind that I am 80 in 8 months, what is there for me? The only tablet I have not been prescribed is dioxin. I think I take or have taken everything else.

[Hidden in reply to Love101cats]

I had one last week, had to just collect it and fit it myself. Mine was a 3 lead type, 2 electrodes & the tiny unit itself clips on to the 3rd sticky pad, bit like press studs.

There is a diary (sheet of paper!) so you can note any events.

Collected at 9am had to return it by 12:30 next day, just put it back in envelope and popped it in a box in reception.

I forgot I even had it on, just did everything as normal work, gym etc. No shower as can’t get it wet.

[Love100cats in reply to Hidden]

Thank you so much. That sounds manageable.