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What Is a Holter Heart Monitor?

A Holter monitor is a small, portable device that records your heart beat. The monitor can help determine if you have heart problems that may not be detected during a doctor’s office visit or by an electrocardiogram (EKG). You will wear the device for 24 to 72 hours while performing your usual daily activities, but you should not swim, shower, bathe or otherwise get the device wet.

  1. When is a Holter Used?

    • Your doctor may order a Holter monitor if you have symptoms of a heart problem. If you are experiencing chest pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting, a Holter monitor may show if you have cardiac issues that need treatment. The Holter may also be used to determine the functioning of the heart after cardiac surgery, or to see if medications you take to treat heart rhythm problems are working as they should.

    Before the Test

    • Prior to the test, your pulse and blood pressure will be measured, your lower extremities will be checked for swelling, and you may have an EKG. You will be instructed on how to use the monitor, and then a trained technician will attach electrodes to your chest, connect them to the device, and test it to make sure it is working correctly. You will go home with the lightweight device worn around your waist or over your shoulder, using a strap to keep it in place. If your doctor orders a wireless Holter monitor for the test, the process is the same; however, according to the National Institutes of Health, a wireless Holter monitor may be worn for much longer periods of time (weeks or months) than a standard one (24 to 48 hours), and it has a different method of transmitting the test information to your doctor.

    During the Test

    • You will need to keep a diary for the duration of the test. According to Mayo Clinic, the diary should include information such as meal times, physical activity, and events that trigger feelings of stress. If you have heart-related symptoms such as dizziness or chest pain while wearing the monitor, you should press the event button. The event button records the exact time the symptom occurred and will allow the technician that evaluates the test to determine if there was abnormal heart activity at that specific time.

    After the Test

    • At the specified time, you will go back to your doctor’s office to return the monitor. The electrodes will be removed from your chest, which should cause little, if any, discomfort. You will also turn in the diary you kept during the test. Your doctor will tell you when to expect the results.

    Results

    • Information recorded on the Holter monitor will be run through a special computer program and reviewed by your doctor. Test results are usually available within a couple of days; however, if the technician notices a life-threatening rhythm, your doctor will be notified immediately. The test results may indicate what is causing an irregular heart rate and whether it requires treatment. It may also show if you have an issue that could lead to future heart problems or a stroke.

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