Holter Monitoring
Holter Monitoring (Ambulatory electrocardiography, ambulatory monitoring, event
recorder, Holter electrocardiography) is a noninvasive procedure that continuously records the heart’s
activity as the patient does his normal routine, usually for 24 to 72 hours.
Holter monitoring involves the use of a portable external monitor worn by means of a strap around
the waist or over the shoulder that measures and records the heart electrical impulses on a tape. The
monitor is equipped with a clock that permits accurate time monitoring. The patient is asked to carry
a diary and record daily activities, as well as any cardiac symptoms that may experience during the
testing. As the patient pushes a button signifying that symptoms have occurred, an event marker is
placed on the tape for later correlation with the cardiac activity recordings and the daily event diary.
The tape is then interpreted by a computer to detect any significant abnormal waveform patterns.
Indications of Holter Monitoring
Detect cardiac dysrhythmias that occur during normal activities and correlate them with
symptoms experienced by the patient
Detect sporadic arrhythmias missed by an exercise or resting ECG
Evaluate chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, and syncope
Evaluate activity intolerance associated with an imbalance of oxygen supply and demand
Monitor the effectiveness of antiarrhythmic drug therapy or a pacemaker
Monitor for ischemia and dysrhythmias following myocardial infarction or
heart surgery before changing rehabilitation and other therapeutic regimens
Holter Monitoring (Ambulatory electrocardiography, ambulatory monitoring, event
recorder, Holter electrocardiography) is a noninvasive procedure that continuously records the heart’s
activity as the patient does his normal routine, usually for 24 to 72 hours.
Holter monitoring involves the use of a portable external monitor worn by means of a strap around
the waist or over the shoulder that measures and records the heart electrical impulses on a tape. The
monitor is equipped with a clock that permits accurate time monitoring. The patient is asked to carry
a diary and record daily activities, as well as any cardiac symptoms that may experience during the
testing. As the patient pushes a button signifying that symptoms have occurred, an event marker is
placed on the tape for later correlation with the cardiac activity recordings and the daily event diary.
The tape is then interpreted by a computer to detect any significant abnormal waveform patterns.
Indications of Holter Monitoring
Detect cardiac dysrhythmias that occur during normal activities and correlate them with
symptoms experienced by the patient
Detect sporadic arrhythmias missed by an exercise or resting ECG
Evaluate chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, and syncope
Evaluate activity intolerance associated with an imbalance of oxygen supply and demand
Monitor the effectiveness of antiarrhythmic drug therapy or a pacemaker
Monitor for ischemia and dysrhythmias following myocardial infarction or
heart surgery before changing rehabilitation and other therapeutic regimens
