Holter Monitor

What is a Holter Monitor?

The Holter monitor is a type of electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) used to monitor the ECG tracing continuously for a period of 24 hours or longer. An ECG is one of the simplest and fastest procedures used to evaluate the heart. Electrodes are placed at certain locations on the chest, arms, and legs. When the electrodes are connected to a ECG machine by lead wires, the electrical activity of the heart is measured, interpreted and, printed out for the physician's information and further interpretation.

What does a Holter monitor do?

Holter Monitors allow the patient to have a 24-hour recording of the heart beat. The Holter Monitors used by Magnolia Health Systems are the most technologically advanced involving only computer chips with no moving parts.

Why a patient needs a Holter monitor

This high fidelity recording, when reviewed by your physician will allow the doctor to determine if palpitations or irregular heart beats are significant are only of nuisance value.