24 Hour Holter Monitoring
Holter monitoring involves the continuous recording of rate
and rhythm of the heart for either 24 or 48 hours. Three
electrodes are placed on the chest and connected to a small
discrete recorder. This is worn by the patient while they
go about their normal daily activity. Holter monitoring is
a very useful tool in the assessment and diagnosis of a range
of symptoms, such as palpitations, dizziness and cardiac
arrhythmia. No special preparation is necessary.
Event Recorders
Event recorders are very similar to Holter monitors. They
are used for patients who do not get symptoms regularly.
The event recorder is worn continually by the patient. When
the patient feels symptoms they switch on the monitor and
an ECG is recorded for a set period around the time of activation.
Up to twenty events may be recorded by the patient. The recorder
is usually issued to the patient for a 7-10 day period. No
special preparation is necessary.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring involves wearing a blood
pressure cuff on the arm attached to a small monitor box
worn on a belt around the waist for a 24 hour period. The
aim of the test is to assess patient’s blood pressure
at regular intervals every 20-30 minutes during the day and
every hour at night, while the patient goes about their normal
daily activities. This will give the doctor a clear picture
of the blood pressure fluctuations during the 24 hour period.
Patients are advised to record a brief diary particularly
if they endure symptoms and take prescribed medication. No
special preparation is necessary. |