What is a Holter Monitor?
A Holter monitor is a battery-operated device affixed to your chest, that measures and records your heart’s activity using an EKG. It has silver electrodes similar to a full-size EKG, that are attached to your skin. They are also known as ambulatory electrocardiograms.
Dr. Kohani may recommend you wear a Holter monitor if you are having issues with an arrhythmia, or an irregular heart rate (either too slow or too fast). The Holter monitor will also be able to actively provide us with up-to-the-minute reports of your heart’s function, it can help monitor the success of a surgical procedure, effects of certain medications, or how you are progressive from certain cardiovascular issues.
Holter Monitor Expectations
The Holter monitor will provide us with an accurate depiction of the ehart’s function over a course of time. It will also provide EKG information at different points, during your normal everyday activities.
We will place the holter monitor along your chest, attaching electrodes to your chest. For men, with an excess of hair on their chest, it may require us to shave your chest prior to attaching the monitor. The monitor can be attached directly to the body, kept in a pouch, or slung over your shoulder, depending on your comfort. While wearing the monitor it is important to avoid:
- Electrical fields
- X-rays
- High-voltage areas
- Metal detectors
- Large magnets
- Swimming pools, bathing or showering. Anywhere there will be exposure to water.
After wearing the monitor for the necessary period, we will analyze the information and assess the functionality of your heart. Dr. Kohani will recommend suggested treatments or run more tests depending on the results obtained by the Holter monitor.
