A Holter monitor is used to watch the electrical activity or rhythm of the heart for a long period of time. You will wear five patches called electrodes that are connected to a box about the size of a portable radio. This box is a recorder that records your heart rhythm for 24-48 hours.

What does it tell the doctor?
A doctor can use Holter monitoring to evaluate irregular heartbeats (palpitations), skipped heartbeats, fainting or the effect of drugs on the heart rhythm. The recorder stores information about the type and number of abnormal heart rhythms you are having. Your doctor will compare results from the recorder with your symptoms. The monitor can also be helpful in providing more information about the effects of drugs on your heart.

What happens before the test?
Several areas on your chest are cleaned with alcohol and scrubbed with a gauze pad to make the electrode patches stick better. If you have hair on your chest, we may need to shave small areas where the patches are applied. These patches are connected through thin wires to a tape recorder box. The box will be placed in a pouch and connected to a belt or harness so you can wear it around your waist or shoulder.

What will I experience?
You will be given a diary called a patient log to record your activity, the time and any symptoms you feel while you are wearing the monitor. Most people wear the monitor for 24-48 hours. You will not be able to shower or take a bath while you are wearing this monitor. You may take a sponge bath as long as you do not get the patches or recorder wet.