Holter and Event Monitors & Loop Recorders

An Event recorder is a valuable test to detect intermittent arrhythmias which are unlikely to be detected within 24 hours. An event recorder is temporarily kept by a patient for 2-4 weeks. This will automatically transmit arrhythmias to our office 24 hours a day. Further, a patient initiated transmission can correlate symptoms to objective arrhythmias.

An Implanted Loop recorder is a small heart rhythm recording device that is placed under the skin on the left side of the chest with the use of local anestheic. This stores any abnormal rhythms for up to 2 years.

A loop recorder is most useful in patients who are having  rare, but severe symptoms such as black outs. This is useful in detecting arrhythmias  that are missed by other methods.

A Holter monitor is a machine that continuously records the heart’s rhythms. The monitor is usually worn for 24 – 48 hours during normal activity. Electrodes (small conducting patches) are stuck onto your chest and attached to a small recording monitor. You carry the battery-operated Holter monitor in a pocket or small pouch worn around your neck or waist.

While you wear the monitor, it records your heart’s electrical activity and you will. During that same period, you will keep a diary of what activities you do while wearing the monitor and how you feel. After the return the monitor to your doctor’s office after 1-3 days, the doctor will look at the records and see if there have been any abnormal heart rhythms.