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A Holter monitor is a portable diagnostic device that can provide detailed information about your heart’s activity. If you need this type of monitor as part of a diagnostic evaluation, you may wonder what results you can expect.
At Chinatown Cardiology in New York City, our experienced cardiologists offer comprehensive cardiac studies, including Holter monitors. We provide guidance to ensure you get the most accurate results during testing.
Our providers also specialize in treating conditions, like arrhythmia, that can affect your heart’s function and long-term health.
A Holter monitor is a small, portable device that continuously records the electrical activity in your heart. Typically, you can expect to wear the monitor overnight to gather information about your heart’s function and overall health.
You may need diagnostic testing with a Holter monitor if you experience symptoms like:
We may also request you use a Holter monitor if you’re already undergoing treatment for an existing heart issue to confirm treatment is working.
A Holter monitor features sensors that stick to the surface of your skin. The sensors attach to a recording device you wear during the day and at night while you sleep. When it’s recording, you can’t get the monitor wet, so you must avoid showering or bathing.
To ensure the electrodes stick firmly to your skin, we may need to shave areas of your chest before attaching the sensors. There’s nothing else you need to do to prepare for a Holter monitor. Once in use, check the sensors to make sure they stay on your skin.
We provide additional guidelines for what you can and can’t do while wearing the monitor. For instance, when you experience heart palpitations or other symptoms, stay as still as you can so the recording of electrical activity is more accurate.
Also, avoid getting too close to things that can interfere with your Holter monitor recording. These objects include magnets, microwaves, cellphones, and other electrical items.
After your recording period ends, you return to our office for device removal. This process is generally simple, but you may have some discomfort when we pull the sensors from your skin. Rubbing alcohol can remove any sticky residue.
Our staff electrophysiologist reviews your results to determine if you need additional cardiac testing or treatment. A Holter monitor can provide information about your heart’s activity and pinpoint an underlying heart condition.
The test can also confirm whether the heart medications you take for an arrhythmia are working. If they aren’t, we can update your treatment plan.
Depending on your results and the frequency of your symptoms, our team may recommend other in-office cardiac tests, including an extended holter, MCOT, or echocardiogram, to further assess your heart function.
Call Chinatown Cardiology today at one of our locations in Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn to learn more about the diagnostic benefits of a Holter monitor, or request an appointment online.
