Examination: Long-term heart rhythm monitoring
Long-term monitoring of your heart rhythm allows us to identify any arrhythmia. Long-term monitoring takes place over a period of 1–14 days and is also known as Holter monitoring, event ECG or R-test. By observing your heart rhythm over a period, our cardiologists can identify any abnormalities and compare them with any symptoms of heart disease.
What you need to know about long-term heart rhythm monitoring
If you suspect you have intermittent heart rhythm disorders, but they are never ‘caught’, you may benefit from this examination. We record and store your heart rhythm over several days whilst you carry out your normal daily activities. This allows us to identify any abnormalities and compare them with symptoms of heart disease.
A small recorder is attached to the top of your chest, which records your heart rhythm over a period of 1–14 days. At the hospital, a nurse will apply the device to you and explain how to use it. Once the device is in place, you can go home – and carry on with your normal activities.
As part of the examination, you must record any symptoms that occur during the monitoring period. When the monitoring period is over, you remove the device yourself and send it back in the return envelope provided.
The examination requires no preparation, is painless and causes no discomfort. However, local skin irritation may occur where the plaster is attached.
We will analyze the results of the examination, and you will then receive a report from the cardiologist.
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