Holter Monitoring is a non-invasive diagnostic test which uses a portable device, commonly known as a holter monitor. Your heart is able to be recorded for it's electrical activity over a long period of time, continuously for 24 to 48 hours. You must carry the holter monitor at all times as you go about on your daily activities to keep a clear record. Next, your cardiologist will go through the readings and give an assessment from the results of the holter monitor. This test allows your cardiologist to determine any abnormality your heart rate and detect signs and symptoms of disorders.
Why do you need Holter Monitoring?
Your doctor might recommend Holter Monitoring to you in order to find a correlation between your heart rhythm and if you're suffering from symptoms such as palpitations, fainting, and dizziness spells. This test allows your doctor to detect transient rhythm disorders of the heart.
Following a heart attack, your cardiologist may suggest Holter Monitoring to record electrical activity within your heart when carrying out normal activities. Additionally, this provides any heart rhythm abnormalities (including serious arrhythmias) to be diagnosed, and to monitor the effects of a new heart medication. After certain heart procedures, this test is useful as a follow up to monitor heart rhythms closely.