24 Hour Holter Monitoring

24 Hour Halter Monitoring Hurstville Sydney

Quick facts

  • A holter monitor is a portable electrocardiogram (ECG) that monitors your heart over a 24 hour period to examine your heart rate or rhythm.

  • You wear the monitor under your clothes, attached to the skin with sticky electrodes.

  • There are certain things you need to consider before the monitor is fitted. Please read the ‘how to prepare’ advice, especially for women.

  • The monitor and electrodes need to stay dry so you won’t be able to shower, bathe or swim while wearing the monitor

  • You’ll need two, short (15-30 mins) appointments on consecutive days to have the monitor fitted and removed.    

In this video, we hear Dr Young Yu talk about 24 Hour Holter Monitoring. Watch this educational video to find out more about what a 24 hour Holter Monitor is...

Summary

A holter monitor is a portable electrocardiogram (ECG) that we use to continuously monitor your heart over a 24 hour period as you go about your normal daily activity.

We use a holter monitor to work out whether a rhythm disturbance in your heart is making you feel unwell. It can also be used to see how your medications affect your heart rate or rhythm.

How to prepare

  • You can eat and drink as normal before your appointment. 

  • Please have a bath or shower before your appointment. You can’t have one while the monitor is on.

  • Please don’t use any lotions on your chest as this may interfere with the adhesive electrodes.

  • Bring a complete list of your medications to your appointment as the ECG can be affected by various medications.

  • Wear a two-piece outfit as you’ll need to undress to the waist for us to fit the monitor.

  • For women, taking bras on and off during the monitoring period can dislodge the electrodes and leads so we ask that you either commit to wearing the same bra or no bra for the monitoring period. If you opt to wear a bra, please wear your most comfortable one as you won’t be able to take it off during the 24 hours.

What to expect

  • We will connect sticky electrodes to sites on your chest. These sites will be cleansed first with alcohol wipes.

  • Some men require a small amount of shaving to ensure good electrical contact between the electrode and skin.

  • The electrodes are connected to leads to provide signals for the ECG to record.

  • These leads connect to a small monitor (approx. 8cm x 5cm x 2cm) which you’ll wear around your neck.

  • The monitor will beep three times when the technician hooks it up – and beep once more about ten minutes later. Don’t be concerned if you don’t hear the beeps.

  • The monitor has a green light which will flash randomly during the monitoring period. You might not notice the light until you’re going to bed. This is normal and nothing to worry about.

  • If you have symptoms of any kind (however slight or brief) please take a note of the symptom and time.

What not to do

  • Please don’t interfere with the leads or battery as this may erase data from the device.

  • You can’t get the monitor wet – no swimming, bathing or showering during the monitoring period.

  • No sleeping on an electric blanket that is switched on as this will interfere with the recording. (It’s ok to warm up the bed, just make sure it’s turned off before you get in.)

  • Please don’t use any device that puts electrical current through your body as this may erase data. This includes things like a TENS machine or a circulation booster.

Timing

You need to attend the clinic for two consecutive days at the same time for this test – and wear the monitor for 24 hours in between appointments.

Day one – allow 30 minutes for the holter monitor to be fitted.

Day two – allow 15 minutes for the holter monitor to be removed.

If you have any difficulties with the equipment, please call the office.