Holter monitor and event monitors

Some heart health symptoms can be difficult to detect during your regular primary care visits, and that’s where Holter monitors and event monitors help. Irregular heart rhythms may come and go, making them hard to capture with a standard electrocardiogram (EKG); however, monitoring is available from the skilled team at AssociatesMD, with locations in Plantation, Pembroke Pines, Davie, Weston, Margate, Dania Beach, and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Holter monitors and event monitors record your heart's electrical activity over an extended period, helping identify issues and guiding care. Learn more by calling or booking a visit online now.

What are Holter monitors?

A Holter monitor is a small, portable device that continuously records your heart's electrical activity, usually for 24-48 hours. The monitor connects to several electrodes placed on your chest and records every heartbeat while you go about your daily activities.

Because the device continuously tracks your heart rhythm, it can help detect abnormalities that occur throughout the day and night.

What are event monitors?

An event monitor is similar to a Holter monitor but is designed for longer-term monitoring. While a Holter monitor records continuously, an event monitor records heart activity when symptoms occur or when the device detects an abnormal rhythm.

You can wear event monitors for several weeks or longer, making them useful for detecting infrequent heart rhythm issues. Because they monitor the heart over an extended period, event monitors can help identify intermittent arrhythmias that shorter tests miss.

Who can Holter and event monitors benefit?

Your provider may recommend one of these monitoring devices if you experience:

• Heart palpitations
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting or near-fainting episodes
• Unexplained fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Chest discomfort

These devices may also be used to monitor known heart rhythm disorders, evaluate the effectiveness of medications, assess your recovery after cardiac procedures, or investigate abnormal findings from an electrocardiogram (EKG).

For patients whose symptoms occur only occasionally, event monitors can provide valuable information that helps your healthcare provider make an accurate diagnosis.

What can I expect if my provider recommends Holter or event monitors?

During your appointment, your AssociatesMD provider places small adhesive electrodes on your chest and connects them to the monitoring device. They give you instructions on how to wear and care for the monitor during the testing period.

Most patients can continue their normal daily activities while wearing the device; however, you may need to avoid bathing, swimming, or certain activities that could damage the equipment. Your provider may also ask you to keep a diary of symptoms and activities to help correlate any recorded changes in your heart rhythm.

Once you finish the monitoring period, you return the device so your provider can analyze the data. They discuss any findings and whether you need additional testing or treatment. 

If you’re concerned about your heart rhythm or unexplained symptoms, schedule a consultation with AssociatesMD by phone or online today to discuss heart monitors.