Holter Monitor
If you have cardiac problems such as chest pain (angina) and arrhythmias, it is important to identify what’s happening in your heart when you experience these symptoms to gain a better understanding of your particular situation and arrive at an accurate diagnosis. So when you have these symptoms regularly enough to bother you, you do the sensible thing: you see Dr. Bereliani as soon as possible. But for many of our patients, it’s almost like taking your car to the mechanic: once you get there, the problem doesn’t show up and everything looks fine. That’s where the Holter monitor comes in.
What is a Holter monitor and why do we use it?
The Holter monitor is essentially a battery-operated, portable, wearable EKG machine that continuously records your heart’s electrical activity for a 24-hour period. By using this device, Dr. Bereliani has a good chance of catching abnormal “events” that he couldn’t see while you were in his office. Abnormal cardiac events, such as arrhythmias, may be painless and unnoticeable; they may even occur in your sleep. The Holter records them all. If necessary, the Holter can be worn for days at a time to get an even more representative sample of your heart’s activity.
What is the process like with a Holter monitor?
If Dr. Bereliani determines you should have a Holter monitor, you will come into our office and our technician will fit you with the device. A standard Holter uses four leads (wires) to measure your EKG. You will have four electrodes – adhesive circles – placed at specific points on your chest. This process is easier if any chest hair is shaved. The leads then snap on to the electrodes. The technician then programs the monitor itself, which looks like a small, portable cassette recorder (the recordings are no longer made on cassette; a digital memory card like those found in cameras is used instead). You can wear your Holter monitor in a pouch around your neck or simply stick it in your pocket. That’s all there is to it.
What should I do while I’m wearing my Holter monitor?
For the most part, you don’t have to do anything. Some Holter monitors have a large button you can press if you feel an “event” – chest pain or an abnormal heart rhythm. Pressing this button makes a note as to the time this event took place so that Dr. Bereliani can pay special attention to the EKG trace at this point. When you press the button, you should write down exactly what you felt and what activities, if any, you were doing at the time it happened.
What do I do with my Holter monitor when I go to sleep?
You should place the Holter monitor nearby, but not so close that you roll over it in your sleep. Placing it on a night table that is directly adjacent to the bed is a good idea; if this is not possible, let the unit gently hang down by the side of the bed.
Are there any other precautions I should be aware of with my Holter monitor?
DO NOT GET THE ELECTRODES OR THE UNIT WET. This means no showering, bathing, or swimming. Excessive exercise is also not advised, as the chest will become sweaty.
What do I do when my monitoring period is up?
Come to Dr. Bereliani’s office. Our technician will remove the electrodes and turn the unit off properly. Do not attempt to do this yourself.
What happens next?
Once the unit is detached and recording is stopped, the technician will download the recording to a computer, where Dr. Bereliani will analyze the data. He will be able to see any abnormal EKG events, such as arrhythmias, on his computer.
What is the significance of the results obtained from the Holter monitor?
By identifying the type of events and their frequency, he can arrive at an accurate diagnosis. In many cases, our patients don’t even realize how many episodes they may have had, because they felt completely normal during the episodes, or were asleep. Armed with the information provided by the Holter monitor, Dr. Bereliani is often able to take proactive measures to prevent further problems. This is another reason why advanced diagnostic techniques are so important to Dr. Bereliani’s preventive cardiology practice.
How do I find out if a Holter monitor might be appropriate for me?
Call the Beverly Hills Institute for Preventive Medicine and Cardiology at 310-550-8000 or click here to make an appointment. Our friendly, helpful staff will be glad to schedule a consultation for you with Dr. Bereliani, and to answer any questions you might have. We are conveniently located in the heart of Beverly Hills, within easy driving distance for most residents of greater Los Angeles.