If your Cardiologist has suggested to you the idea of needing to monitor your heart rhythms the name Holter Monitor likely came up. While this is easy to do for a patient lying in a hospital bed, that becomes an expensive and often unnecessary proposition.  Pre 1960’s there was no at-home option for 24/7 monitoring. But thanks to  Norman J. Holter, Physicist, who in 1949 was the originator of the Holter Monitor doctors can now monitor heart patients’ heart rhythms round the clock.

The first heart monitors were quite large barely portable. Patients needed to remain in hospitals for monitoring. Over time, tweaks and changes to the Holter monitor downsized it becoming far more portable. This allowed patients to be monitored for longer periods of time, and from their own homes. In 2019, Holter monitors are worn a minimum of two weeks and up to a month. Modern monitors are comfortable when strapped across the chest and are easily hidden under clothing.

Holter monitors are used in a variety of circumstances though mostly when arrhythmia is present. Some arrhythmias can be detected be electrocardiograms, but these tests are quick and performed onsite so they are sometimes not able to detect certain problems that are occurring randomly or over time. If you’ve experienced unexplained fainting or other symptoms such as palpitations, then it is likely that your physician will recommend this test. If an arrhythmia is then diagnosed, further action can be taken in treating.

How it works:

Each monitor has two components. The hardware that stays with the patient and takes the recordings, and the software that is externally located to analyze the readings. This allows for the convenience of both patient and doctor. Many modern Holter monitors are equipped with “patient buttons” that allow patients to signal when they are performing certain activities, such as exercising, taking medications, or going to sleep, giving the physician a better overall understanding of the patient’s heart activity.

 

If you are looking for the best and most compassionate cardiologists in the greater Tampa area, look no further than the Tampa Cardiovascular Associates. Whether you are looking for guidance in prevention, diagnosis, or treatment, call us today at (813) 975-2800 to get started or visit us online at www.tampacardio.com.