Holter monitoring
A Holter monitor is a wearable device that records the electrical activity of your heart for 24 (or 48) hours while you are carrying out your everyday activities. Basically, it is an electrocardiogram (ECG) covering a period of 24 (or 48) hours. It is mainly used to screen for heart rhythm problems.
Before the test
- No special preparation is needed.
- Your medications do not need to be stopped.
- Men with a lot of body hair will have small areas of the chest shaved to optimise the contact between the electrodes and the skin.
- For Holter monitoring and 24-hour blood pressure monitoring a deposit of €25 is charged for the device. Use of the device is free of charge for the first day. From the second day onwards, a fee of €25 per day is charged.
The test
- The test is completely painless, and there are no risks involved.
- Skin electrodes are placed on the exposed upper body. These are connected to a recorder by thin leads. The recorder can be worn in a bag attached to a belt around the body.
- After the Holter monitor is attached (about 15 minutes) you can go home and resume your normal activities.
- The next day (or two days later) you can remove the electrodes yourself at home and bring the recorder back to the Cardiology department, where the Holter monitor will be read out.
- The results will be available after about a week.
After the test
- You must NOT have a shower or bath with this device.