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Holter monitor
Holter monitor · 24-hour ECG · ambulatory ECG · heart monitor
A small device on your belt records your ECG for a full day, sometimes 2 to 3 days, while you go about your normal life.
For skipped beats, racing heart episodes, or fainting, to catch what a short ECG cannot see.
⏱ Duration: 10 to 15 minutes to fit; usually worn for 24 hours
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Shower. Shower beforehand. You usually cannot wash while wearing the device.
- Skin. No lotion on your chest. Men may have small areas shaved for the pads.
- Clothes. Loose cotton clothes, so the device and wires do not get in the way.
What to bring
- Your referral
How it goes
- 3 to 7 sticky pads are put on your chest, and the wires connect to the device
- The device is clipped to your belt or hung around your neck
- For a day, you live as usual: work, walk, take the stairs
- Write in a diary what you did, when you felt unwell, and when you took medicine
- After a day, the device is removed at the clinic
What you'll feel
- The pads may itch sometimes
- The device can bother you a bit in bed. You get used to it quickly
Afterwards
- The report usually takes 1 to 3 days
- Glue marks wash off with soap and water
Contact a doctor straight away if
- Fainting or severe chest pain: call emergency services, even while wearing the device
Common questions
Can I shower with a Holter monitor?
Usually not. The device and pads must stay dry. Shower before it is fitted.
Why keep a diary?
The doctor will match the recording to what you did and how you felt. Without a diary, the reading is less useful.