Holter monitoring

What is a Holter Monitor?

A Holter Monitor is a small portable device that you wear to record your hearts activity continuously for up to 48 hours while you continue your normal daily activities.

Reasons a Holter Monitor may be done:

• To evaluate chest pain not reproduced with exercise testing.
• To evaluate other signs and symptoms that may be heart-related, such as fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, irregular heartbeats or palpitations.
• To assess the function of an implanted pacemaker.
• To determine the effectiveness of your medications.

How long does the Holter Monitor take?

• It takes 15-20 minutes to have the holter monitor applied and to go over the instructions. You may also need to have an ECG before the holter monitor is applied at this appointment.

Is there any prep needed prior to having my Holter Monitor applied?

• You will want to bath or shower before your appointment as your monitor must be kept dry to ensure it functions properly.
• Wear clothes that allow easy access to your chest. A front buttoning shirt is recommended.
• Avoid the use of baby oil or lotion before the test as it may prevent the electrodes from sticking properly to your skin affecting the quality of the holter monitor recording.
• Please bring a list of your current medications.

What can I expect during the procedure?

• You will be asked to unbutton your shirt.
• The areas where the electrodes will be placed on your chest will be cleaned and if your chest is very hairy, small patches of hair may be shaved, as needed, to allow the electrodes to stick to the skin properly.
• Several leads are attached to the electrodes and corrected to the monitor. You may wear the monitor on your belt or over your should like a shoulder bag.
• You will be instructed on how to keep a diary of your activities for the duration of the recording and how to record any symptoms you may have.
• You will be given a time to return to the department with your monitor and diary. It is very important to return your monitor on time.

What happens after you return the Holter Monitor?

• Once your monitor is returned a Registered Cardiology Technologist will down load the information from the monitor and prepare a report. The report is sent to a doctor in the Cardiac Diagnostics Department for interpretation and the results are sent to your family doctor.