Holter Monitor or Ambulatory Electrocardiography Device

A Holter monitor or ambulatory electrocardiography (EKG) device is a small, mobile healthcare device that monitors heart rhythms while a person is engaged in normal activities.  The ambulatory electrocardiography (EKG) consists of 3 to 7 electrodes that are attached to the surface of the person’s skin.  The electrodes are wired to a small Holter monitor that can fit in a shirt pocket. Some Holter monitors can be worn around a person’s waist or neck.  Usually, a Holter monitor is powered by batteries. 

How Is a Holter Monitor Test Performed?

Little preparation is needed before wearing a Holter monitor.  The area of skin where an electrode will be placed may need to be shaved for proper adhesion.  While a person is monitored, he logs his daily activities in a journal so that the healthcare physician can better analyze the cause of irregular heart patterns and determine if the patterns are indicative of a more serious condition.  Patients should avoid or limit exposure to magnets, metal detectors, electric blankets, and areas of high voltage during the test as electrical heart signals recorded by the ambulatory electrocardiography (EKG) monitor may be skewed. The length of monitoring time is commonly 24 hours or longer (Holter monitors are usually worn while sleeping).   

Who Would Benefit from a Holter monitor?