Holter Monitoring

[JMF1]

Hi still having problems with erratic pulse so have to have a holter test. Anyone had one and how are any problems found treated. Sorry just worrying and apologies for spelling of test.

[Yumz199725]

Glad you are having it so soon. I had ectopic beats and I ended up going to A&E they didn't pick up anything on the ecg or bloods and I was advised to contact my heart hospital soon as possible so I did and I was given a holter monitor and many many down the line it picked up ventricular Tachycardia and now I'm on verapamil. I think if your ectopic beats are causing this much agrovassion then hopefully they can prescribe something to help manage them. Hope everything goes well and they pick up what's causing them x

[cotonh]

My husband has had one of these. It was ordered in November and took place in April but that was from a request from the GP. It then took some weeks for the results to come through and extra beats / erratic pulses were picked up. He had his for 24 hours, other people on here have had longer times, up to a week, I think. Beta blockers being used but as yet no resolution, he is also waiting for a CABG operation so that might also change things.

[Ennasti]

I’ve had approximately 9 holters in the last 3 years, plus one called a heart bug which was on for 30 days. My results come very quickly - roughly a week and my cardiologist always arranges me to have the holter a week before my visit with him.

A holter monitor is simply a 24 hr ecg. You’ll have electrodes stuck to your chest and you’ll wear a little machine on a strap. You keep it on for 24hrs and either push a button when you have symptoms, or record it in writing on a sheet, and it records all of your heart beat activity during that time.

The outcome of the test is dependant on your symptoms, your health history and what is shown. If it’s just ectopic beats and you have no other related issues, it’s likely nothing will come of it. If you have an excess of ectopics, or an arrhythmia, then they may do more tests to find the cause.

[WorriedOfOxford]

Had a 5-day one. Was like a large sticker that you put on yourself. After 5 days, remove in the shower and send back. Was very small and light - barely noticed I was wearing it at all. Results came back in a week or so.

[Gilling45]

Hi, I have bigeminy which is ectopics causes low pulse rate, had 48 hour monitor it took 15 weeks for results. It was discussed with Cardio and as symptoms were stable I was discharged. Beta blocker was stopped as it does slow your pulse. However I have recently had another episode and now have to start process again with gp. Which is a nightmare. Good luck with your monitor. It just records what your heart is doing over a period of time,

[ANDYDAMP]

hi , I wore one for 48 hours.

It showed i had numerous problems and was calling into hospital by ambulance as an emergency an had to have a ICD fitted .

[mobyfool]

Have A fibulation since 2018 been noticing it more since April,Gp put me on a beta blocker,because of high pressure, had to take own blood pressure for a week, after a month of taken beta blocker took me off them because I was having bad reactions to them, in-between this had 24 hr monitor while still on beta blocker, still waiting for results, 3 weeks, now that I,m off beta blocker still find strange sensations in chest at times,just waiting for results, hope you get sorted.

[Behappy63]

hi there. I had a 3 day holster at the end of April Results circa 2 months.

Three stickers( they become very itchy) and small rectangular recording device. They give you spares so you can shower but you need to remove the monitor. I opted for remaining un showered for the 3 days. ( I worked from home those days lol and that shower was the best ever!)

They have to get a good connection so slight rough up the skin the stickers are very hard to get off and they leave marks ( like you have been hugged by an octopus!)

I’m still getting the erratic beats but I have to be patient and wait. I was lucky that what I’d reported happened on night 2 so it’s a waiting game now which I’m not too good at. (If I feel ok I’m fine but if I’ve had the overnight symptoms then I’m a cat on a hot tin roof).

Good luck. It’s annoying but it’s not too intrusive. I attached the monitor to my bra durning the day and at night to my pjs

[Nightmare2 in reply to Behappy63]

Most get results very quickly. its painless and no problems, if only all procedures were as good.

[Spanielrunner]

it’s very straight forward they attach leads to your chest through which your heart rate and rhythm is recorded into a small box. You are given a sheet of paper to document the date and time of any symptoms you experience. They usually do this over a 24 or 72 hour period. Then you remove it and hand it in to be analysed. Your doctor will tell you the results

[Edgywoman]

I have had a couple of these - and one when I was in hospital and they were trying to decide if I had had a heart attack. The only problem is keeping the darn leads stuck to me! On one I am sure they spent more time monitoring the inside of my pj top than my heart! And in hospital they kept having to wake me up to reattach things. Other than that its a doddle.

[Nightmare2]

I had one for 14 days, they are only good if they pick up an EVENT which you have during the time worn, luckily on first day of mine i had an AF attack, and from this AF determined, the 24 hour ones are pretty useless as too short a time. if they suggest this, ask for at least a 7 day one. but AF and irregular beats can be picked up without one of these, if a good cardiologist just an ECG will usually show up these, as a lot of times the patient wont even feel these beats, luckily i do, i feel every one but a lot do not.

[Breesha]

worry is not a help , thousands of holster tests done daily , the new one done not have a harness and box, it is a simple length of plaster with two electrodes , so you would not know you are wearing it, I have had erratic heart beats diagnosed when having my first baby, he is 51 and I am over 80, so try and enjoying a full and active life ….you need to put things in perspective, just try and relax.

[Qualipop]

I have problems with the glue on the electrodes. They cause tiny blisters and itch like mad. If you're allergic to sticking plaster, tell them when it's fitted and they can give you a type you shouldn't react to. I also find the machine a pest at night hanging round my neck so I wear a bra and push the machine into it or a PJ top that has a pocket. I've never been told to press any button or write anything down. It's simply a 24 hour ECG machine. It could take several weeks to get the results.

[bluedolphin2]

Nothing to worry about.I had one, it comes with instructions, mine was on me all week, & it's shower proof too.

Then it got sent back to the hospital it came.

Even had a nurse who rang me up for any questions I might need to know.

Nothing to it.x