24 Hr Holter Monitor

This test records your heart's electrical activity (called ECG or electrocardiogram) for 24 hrs - and is done for rate and rhythm problems.

Holter Monitor Test: Get Accurate Results with Holter Monitor Testing!

What is a Holter monitor

A Holter monitor test is an ambulatory monitoring procedure, which is a non-invasive diagnostic service that utilises a miniature recorder which records an electrical trace of your heartbeat continuously for 24 hours, and which provides information about the electrical function of the heart.

 

Why am I having a HOLTER?

In ambulatory monitoring procedures like the Holter monitor test, your doctor wants to know what your heart electrical system is doing in a 24 hour period This may help to find reasons for some problems such as: abnormal or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, faints, blackouts, palpitations, or checking pacemaker function.

How is a HOLTER performed ?/ What can I expect on the day?

The monitor is worn for 24 hours. You will need to make two visits, one to have the monitor to put on, and a second one to have it removed. Please be punctual when you are coming back for removal of the monitor as another person may be waiting to have theirs put on.

On the first visit, when the monitor is put on, you will be required to remove all garments from your chest. 5 ECG electrodes will be attached to the skin of the chest. The skin is prepared by shaving if required, then rubbed with alcohol and mild sand paper to improve electrical connections. There will be leads connected to a battery operated recorder which you can wear on your belt, over the shoulder or around your neck. Tape is used to secure the leads to the skin. Please let us know if you have any allergies to tape.

The technician putting on the monitor will give you more information about the Holter monitor recorder and the event button which you may press if you feel unusual symptoms such as dizziness or unusual heartbeats.

Please do not get the recorder wet. Please do not lose or damage the recorder or leads. Replacement recorders cost over $3000. Replacement leads cost over $300. Please do not use an electric blanket – unplug it from the powerpoint. The electrical interference from a working electric blanket will make it impossible to interpret the results. Please avoid the use of your mobile phone, or at least keep it well away from the recorder and leads. Interference from the phone may contaminate the recording.

If a lead become dislodged, just put it back on and let us know. One dislodged lead rarely causes invalid results, but multiple or frequent lead dislodgement may mean we need to repeat the test.

 

Holter Monitor Interpretation: Understanding the Results and What They Mean for Your Health

Your recording is stored on a memory card which is removed from the recorder after the end of the test, when you come back on the second day. The memory card is then sent off for analysis and reporting. A technician edits the recording and provides a preliminary report of the test within 2 or 3 days, depending on the day of the week when the test is performed.

The test is then formally reported by a heart specialist, generally after another 2-3 days. Your doctor will get the full report in the mail, generally about 1 week after you have the test performed. Sometimes the recording may have to be repeated if the duration of the recording is insufficient or there is too much interference.

 

Holter Monitor Analysis: Analysing Data for Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment

When analysing Holter monitor test data, healthcare professionals look for various factors to assess your heart’s health. Here are some key aspects they consider:

  • Heart Rate: The monitor records your heart rate throughout the monitoring period. It helps identify abnormal heart rates such as tachycardia (fast heart rate) or bradycardia (slow heart rate).
  • Heart Rhythm: The monitor detects and records the electrical activity of your heart, including the timing and regularity of heartbeats. It helps identify arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, or premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).
  • ST-Segment Changes: The ST segment on an ECG represents the time between ventricular depolarisation (contraction) and repolarisation (relaxation). Deviations in the ST segment can indicate myocardial ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart), which may suggest coronary artery disease or other heart conditions.
  • Heart Rate Variability (HRV): HRV refers to the variation in time intervals between consecutive heartbeats. Reduced HRV may indicate autonomic nervous system dysfunction or increased risk of cardiac events.
  • Symptoms and Events: During the monitoring period, you may be asked to note any symptoms you experience, such as chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, or shortness of breath. These symptoms are correlated with the recorded data to help identify potential triggers or causes.

Based on the findings from Holter monitor test data, healthcare professionals can make an accurate diagnosis and develop an appropriate treatment plan. Treatment options may include medication adjustments, anti-arrhythmic drugs, interventions like catheter ablation or pacemaker implantation, lifestyle modifications, or further diagnostic tests, such as exercise stress tests or cardiac imaging studies.

Accurate Holter monitor test analysis is crucial for several reasons:

  • Accurate Diagnosis: Holter monitor analysis helps healthcare professionals make an accurate diagnosis of various heart conditions. By identifying abnormal heart rhythms, ST-segment changes, heart rate abnormalities, and other ECG patterns, they can determine the underlying cause of symptoms or detect potential cardiac abnormalities that may require further investigation.
  • Treatment Planning: Accurate analysis of Holter monitor data guides treatment planning. Based on the findings, healthcare professionals can determine the most appropriate treatment options for the specific heart condition identified. Treatment may involve medication adjustments, anti-arrhythmic drugs, interventions like catheter ablation or pacemaker implantation, or lifestyle modifications. Accurate analysis ensures that the treatment plan is tailored to the individual’s needs, optimising the chances of successful outcomes.
  • Risk Stratification: Holter monitor analysis helps in risk stratification, which involves assessing the individual’s risk of future cardiac events. By evaluating heart rate variability, arrhythmias, and other ECG parameters, healthcare professionals can estimate the likelihood of adverse events such as heart attacks, strokes, or sudden cardiac death. This information allows for appropriate risk management and preventive measures to be implemented.
  • Monitoring Treatment Efficacy: Holter monitor analysis can also be used to assess the effectiveness of treatment interventions. By comparing follow-up Holter monitor recordings with baseline data, healthcare professionals can determine if the prescribed treatment is successfully controlling abnormal heart rhythms or other cardiac abnormalities. If necessary, adjustments can be made to the treatment plan to optimise outcomes.
  • Long-Term Monitoring: Holter monitor analysis provides a comprehensive picture of an individual’s heart activity over an extended period. This is particularly useful in capturing sporadic or infrequent arrhythmias that may not be detected during shorter ECG recordings. Accurate analysis ensures that no abnormalities are missed and helps healthcare professionals better understand the overall heart health of the individual.
  • Research and Clinical Studies: Holter monitor analysis plays a significant role in research and clinical studies related to cardiac conditions. Accurate analysis of large-scale data from multiple individuals helps in identifying patterns, risk factors, and treatment outcomes, leading to advancements in the understanding and management of heart diseases.

Thank you for choosing HeartWest