TECHNOLOGY IN HEALTHCARE
A Holter monitor is a battery-operated portable device that measures and tape records your heart’s activity continuously for 24 to 48 hours or longer depending on the monitor used. The device is the size of a small camera. It has wires with electrodes that attach to your skin. Make sure to tell your technician if you are allergic to tape or adhesive since they will use tape to make sure the electrodes stay in place.
Getting regular EKG’s let your doctor look at your heart’s activity. But abnormal heart rhythms and cardiac symptoms may come and go. That’s why your doctor may want to evaluate your heartbeat over time while you go about your normal daily activities.
You may be asked to wear a Holter monitor if you have fast, slow or irregular heartbeats or if you have a pacemaker and feel dizzy. Your doctor may also want to use it to see how well your medications are working to treat your heart condition.
Wearing a Holter monitor does not hurt and should not affect your daily activities. You should do your normal everyday routine so the doctor can see if and when you have events and when they are happening. You cannot take a shower, bath or swim while wearing the monitor.
You will need to keep an activity log while wearing the monitor. If you feel symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats or dizziness, note in your log the time they began and what you were doing. Your log will be compared to the changes in your EKG recorded by the Holter monitor.
As you have read above I have researched the use of Holter monitors. I have noted some of the reasons that Holter monitors are used and the way they are worn and what to do and not to do while wearing the monitor. The American Heart Association website that I found the information on for this paper explained everything very well and in great detail. I would highly recommend this website to someone that has questions or concerns about what a Holter monitor is.
Getting regular EKG’s let your doctor look at your heart’s activity. But abnormal heart rhythms and cardiac symptoms may come and go. That’s why your doctor may want to evaluate your heartbeat over time while you go about your normal daily activities.
You may be asked to wear a Holter monitor if you have fast, slow or irregular heartbeats or if you have a pacemaker and feel dizzy. Your doctor may also want to use it to see how well your medications are working to treat your heart condition.
Wearing a Holter monitor does not hurt and should not affect your daily activities. You should do your normal everyday routine so the doctor can see if and when you have events and when they are happening. You cannot take a shower, bath or swim while wearing the monitor.
You will need to keep an activity log while wearing the monitor. If you feel symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, uneven heartbeats or dizziness, note in your log the time they began and what you were doing. Your log will be compared to the changes in your EKG recorded by the Holter monitor.
As you have read above I have researched the use of Holter monitors. I have noted some of the reasons that Holter monitors are used and the way they are worn and what to do and not to do while wearing the monitor. The American Heart Association website that I found the information on for this paper explained everything very well and in great detail. I would highly recommend this website to someone that has questions or concerns about what a Holter monitor is.