What is a Holter heart monitor and what is its use?

Holter heart monitor **Holter monitor** is one of the important medical tools to check and record **heart rhythm** during the day and night. If the doctor suspects the presence of **cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)** but a normal ECG does not show any problems, this device is used for a more detailed examination. ### How does the Holter monitor work? Holter is a **small, light and portable device** that continuously records **heartbeat** with the help of several **adhesive electrodes** placed on the patient's chest. Usually, this monitor is placed on the patient's body for **24 to 48 hours** and records the heart rate during daily activities such as walking, resting or sleeping. ### When do we need a Holter monitor? A doctor may recommend the use of a Holter monitor in the following conditions: - Heart palpitations or irregular heartbeat - Fainting or dizziness for no apparent reason - Suspicion of slow or fast heartbeat - Checking the effectiveness of cardiac drugs - Assessment of heart function after stroke or surgery ### Advantages of using Holter **Continuous and accurate recording of heart rhythm** in real life conditions - **Diagnosis of arrhythmias** that are not seen in the short-term ECG - Painless and completely non-invasive - Helping to decide on the need for medication or **pacemaker** **Holter heart monitor installation** **Holter heart monitor installation** is an effective solution for accurate and continuous checking of the heart's rhythm and electrical activity throughout the day and night. This small device is installed on the body and records complete information of the heart's function in various everyday conditions, especially when the conventional EKG is unable to detect abnormalities. Mrs. Dr. Marvarid Dadres, cardiology specialist and echocardiography fellowship, offers specialized services for installing a Holter heart monitor in her office on Shariati Street in Tehran. Contact us for an appointment and more information. ### **Preparation to install Holter** - Bathing before installation (because the device should not get wet during monitoring) - Wearing loose and comfortable clothes - Avoid contact with strong electronic devices or magnets - Accurate recording of symptoms (such as dizziness, palpitations, chest pain) and the time of their occurrence in a special notebook ### Limitations - **There is no possibility of bathing or swimming** while the device is installed on the body - Itching or burning may occur in the glued areas - Some people may feel uncomfortable while sleeping with the device ### After the end of the examination with Holter After 24 to 48 hours, the device is removed by a doctor or technician and its data is **analyzed**. By examining the data, the doctor can determine **the type, intensity and time of heart arrhythmias** and decide on the continuation of the treatment. ### Conclusion **Holter monitor** is a very valuable tool for **checking hidden and intermittent heart problems** that cannot be detected in quick tests such as ECG. If you have symptoms such as **palpitations, dizziness, fainting or fatigue**, the use of Holter can play an important role in your diagnosis and treatment.