Holter Monitor | Baylor Scott & White Health

What is a Holter monitor?

A Holter monitor is a type of portable electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) that continuously monitors your heart’s activity over a 24- or 48-hour period. The small device helps detect symptoms that come and go and may not show up on an ECG you have at your cardiologist’s office.

Holter monitors are one type of heart monitor (also called an event monitor) that your cardiologist can use to measure symptoms outside the office. Holter monitors can help if your symptoms are frequent. If they are not, a Holter monitor might miss them, and your provider may recommend another device that you wear for a longer period.

Why would I need a Holter monitor?

A regular ECG shows your heart’s activity at a single moment during the test. However, heart symptoms and irregular rhythms can come and go. That’s why your doctor may recommend monitoring your heartbeat over a longer period while you go about your normal daily activities.

A Holter monitor may be recommended if:

You experience fast, slow or irregular heartbeats, also known as arrhythmias
Your doctor needs to check if your medications are working effectively
You have symptoms such as dizziness, fainting or a sensation that your heart is racing or skipping beats
There’s a need to determine if your heart is receiving enough oxygen to function properly
Your care team wants to monitor your heart rate after you have a device, such as a pacemaker, implanted
There’s a need to monitor your heart’s activity after a heart attack

Preparing for a Holter monitor test

A Holter monitor is about the size of a deck of cards. You wear it on a belt, around your neck or with a shoulder strap, and it connects to your chest through electrodes attached with small sticky pads.

Before your appointment, your technician may ask you to avoid applying lotions, oils or other skin care products, which may interfere with the sticky pads. You should also let the technician know if you have any allergies to tapes or adhesives.

If you have hair on your chest, the technician will shave the area before attaching the electrodes.

doctor discussing holter monitors with a patient

What to expect with a Holter monitor test

During a Holter monitor test

Typically, a Holter monitor is worn for 24 to 48 hours. It will record an ECG continuously throughout that period. You will likely be asked to document your activities and symptoms in a diary while you’re wearing it so your cardiologist can compare any irregular heartbeats or symptoms picked up on the ECG with what you were doing at the time.

Your technician will give you tips for recording your activities when you receive the monitor, but here are some general tips:

Log symptoms such as chest pain, heart fluttering or skipping a beat, dizziness and shortness of breath. Write down the time you feel symptoms and whether you were engaged in an activity.
Note all your activities, including when you take medications, drive or sleep, and at what time those activities occur.

Tips for wearing a Holter monitor

Your technician will explain how the device works and give you instructions to follow while wearing it. In general, you will need to:

Avoid sources of electricity: These might interfere with the monitor’s recordings, such as electric blankets, magnets, metal detectors and high-voltage areas.
Continue your daily activities: Do all the things you normally do, including exercise, if your cardiologist asks you to, so the monitor records symptoms when they usually occur.
Keep the monitor dry: You won’t be able to take a shower, but you may be able to take a sponge bath.
Keep the monitor close to your body: Have it near you even while sleeping. Sleeping on your back may help keep the device close and make you feel more comfortable.

You also can’t have any X-rays while wearing the monitor.

Call your cardiologist or technician if you experience any of the following during your study:

An electrode that falls off or makes noise
Skin irritation or an allergic reaction caused by the adhesive patches

Understanding your Holter monitor results

Your healthcare provider will review the results of your Holter monitor test and go over them with you. The information from the test can help show if you have a heart condition and whether your current heart medications are working as they should.

If your test is “normal,” your doctor did not see any irregular heartbeats or significant changes in the ECG patterns over the study period. Abnormal results suggest that you may have an arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation. Your cardiologist may schedule a follow-up visit to discuss additional testing options and potential treatments.

Find a location near you

Our cardiac technicians work with cardiologists at locations across Central and North Texas. We’ll work to arrange your appointments and follow-up care at a location convenient to you.

Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Abilene

1219 E South 11th St Ste B2, Abilene, TX, 79602

Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Abilene

1219 E South 11th St Ste B2, Abilene, TX, 79602

What is a Holter monitor?

Why would I need a Holter monitor?

Preparing for a Holter monitor test

What to expect with a Holter monitor test

During a Holter monitor test

After your Holter monitor test

Understanding your Holter monitor results

Find a location near you

Frequently asked questions

Can a Holter monitor detect a blockage?

Can you drink while wearing a Holter monitor?

Can you shower with a Holter monitor?

Can you smoke while wearing a Holter monitor?

Does a Holter monitor record blood pressure?

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