Holter Monitor Studies, Event Monitors and Loop Recorders  

What is a holter heart monitor test?

A holter heart monitor is a small EKG machine, which is about the size of a cassette tape player. When a holter heart test is required, five EKG patches and wires will be attached to your chest.

For the next 24 to 48 hours you will wear the heart monitor in a sling across your shoulder under you clothing, recording every beat your heart generates during all of your daily activities.

While wearing the heart monitor, you will be asked to keep a diary of your activities. This is so the physician reading your monitor's recording will be able to cross-reference your heart's activities with your physical activities.

What is an event heart monitor?

An event heart monitor is another type of portable monitor, which constantly records your heart's action and, upon pushing a button, saves or records the most recent three minutes of readings. This type of heart monitor may be worn for only two days or as long as two weeks, depending on when a cardiac symptom occurs.

When you feel a symptom, you will be asked to push a button on the heart monitor to permanently record the three minutes prior to feeling the symptom. The recordings are transmitted over the phone for your cardiologist to interpret at a later time.

The initial appointment to begin your holter heart test should take about 20 minutes. The event heart monitoring should take about 40 minutes.

What is a loop recorder?

Loop recorders are heart monitors placed under the skin in the Cardiac Cath Lab. They can be left in place for up to 12 months and record the electrical activity of your heart to help determine if there is an abnormal heart rhythm.

Abnormal heart rhythms cause you to feel symptoms of:

• Palpitations
• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Episodes of passing out (syncope).