Holter Monitor

Typically, a Holter monitor is worn for 24 to 48 hours. It will record an ECG continuously throughout that period. You will likely be asked to document your activities and symptoms in a diary while you’re wearing it so your cardiologist can compare any irregular heartbeats or symptoms picked up on the ECG with what you were doing at the time.

Your technician will give you tips for recording your activities when you receive the monitor, but here are some general tips:

• Log symptoms such as chest pain, heart fluttering or skipping a beat, dizziness and shortness of breath. Write down the time you feel symptoms and whether you were engaged in an activity.
• Note all your activities, including when you take medications, drive or sleep, and at what time those activities occur.

Tips for wearing a Holter monitor

Your technician will explain how the device works and give you instructions to follow while wearing it. In general, you will need to:

• Avoid sources of electricity: These might interfere with the monitor’s recordings, such as electric blankets, magnets, metal detectors and high-voltage areas.
• Continue your daily activities: Do all the things you normally do, including exercise, if your cardiologist asks you to, so the monitor records symptoms when they usually occur.
• Keep the monitor dry: You won’t be able to take a shower, but you may be able to take a sponge bath.
• Keep the monitor close to your body: Have it near you even while sleeping. Sleeping on your back may help keep the device close and make you feel more comfortable.

You also can’t have any X-rays while wearing the monitor.

Call your cardiologist or technician if you experience any of the following during your study:

• An electrode that falls off or makes noise
• Skin irritation or an allergic reaction caused by the adhesive patches

After you return the monitor and your cardiologist reviews the report and your symptom diary, your doctor will better understand which treatments you need. Often, doctors can review your report quickly, but it may take one to two weeks for the report to be generated.