What is a Holter Monitor (Portable ECG)?
A Holter monitor is a small and portable electrocardiogram (ECG) that tracks one’s heart rhythm. Patients are usually advised by cardiologists to wear it continuously for at least 24 hours to measure and evaluate their heart health.
Patients who present with symptoms such as dizziness, fainting spells, palpitations, regular fatigue and low blood pressure may be advised to use a Holter monitor.
Certain abnormal heart rhythms (known as arrhythmias) may occur at irregular hours and/or under specific conditions where stress or intense activities are experienced. As such, a traditional ECG test during a doctor’s consultation may not be indicative or as accurate as data collected from a Holter monitor that are recorded over an extended period of time.
Results from the Holter monitor recording can also help to assess one’s risk for other potential CVD.