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Cardiac Holter Monitoring

If you have a heart rhythm irregularity that tends to come and go, it may not be captured during the few minutes a standard ECG is recording. In this case your doctor may recommend another type of heart rhythm monitor.

What is a Holter monitor?

A Holter monitor is a small, wearable device that keeps track of your heart rhythm. Your doctor may want you to wear a Holter monitor for one to two days. During that time, the device records all of your heartbeats.

While wearing a Holter monitor may be a little inconvenient, it's an important test that may help your doctor diagnose your condition. Electrodes (small conducting patches) are stuck onto your chest. These are attached by wires to a small recording monitor. You carry the Holter monitor in a pocket or pouch worn around your neck or waist. The monitor runs on batteries. While you wear the monitor, it records your heart's electrical activity.

A Holter monitor test is usually performed after a traditional test to check your heart rhythm (electrocardiogram), especially if the electrocardiogram doesn't give your doctor enough information about your heart's condition.

Your doctor uses information captured on the Holter monitor to figure out if you have a heart rhythm problem.

Cardiac Event Monitoring

If your symptoms don't occur often, your doctor may suggest that you wear an event monitor. This portable device is similar to a Holter monitor, but it records only at certain times for a few minutes at a time. And you can wear it longer than a Holter monitor, typically 30 days.

With many event monitors, you activate them by pressing a record button when you have symptoms or a fast heart rate. Other monitors automatically sense abnormal heart rhythms and then start recording. You then send the ECG readings to your doctor through your phone. He or she uses the recorded electrical signals to look at your heart rhythm at the time of your symptoms.
(Information provided by Mayo Clinic)

Iraan General provides both Cardiac Holter and Event Monitoring. After your physician orders the monitoring, we will place the wearable device, as early as the same day. You just return to IGH in 24-48 hours and we will remove the monitor and you can go home. The Physician receives your detailed report within 24 hours.

For more information contact the Rural Health Clinic at 432-639-2580.