Where stress tests determine how your heart responds to active or increased rates of stress, Holter monitoring determines how well your heart is performing during normal activity. This is usually done for those who have already suffered a heart attack, those who may have heart rhythm problems and those who are starting a new heart medicine.
A Holter monitor is machine that continuously records your hearts rhythms through small electrodes that are attached to your chest through an adhesive. These small patches send a signal to a small recording monitor that you can carry in your pocket or in a small pouch worn around your neck or waist. This battery-powered monitor keeps track of your heart’s electrical activity for 24-48 hours. During this time, you’re asked to record your symptoms and activities so that when you return to our office to look over the results with your cardiologist, your notes are matched up with any possible irregularities.