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When the heart begins to fail, it is sometimes difficult to see why on a single ECG. In order to get an in-depth look at his work, you can use the Holter, which is a 24/7 recording of the electrical activity of the heart.
Holter electrocardiographic examinationthis differs from normal, restingEKGthat it lasts around the clock (sometimes two), not few minutes. AHolter examinationis usually directed by a cardiologist. You don't need to prepare for it in any particular way.
If we take medications on a permanent basis, we do not stop taking them for the duration of the examination. We are supposed to do all our daily activities around the clock, we don't have to - or even shouldn't - modify the schedule.
The test makes sense when the device registers the heart activity during a typical day - when we work, play, get nervous, play sports, rest, sleep, etc.Holter examination can be performed on patients in any age , also for pregnant women, repeat them many times, even in short intervals.
Indications for the Holter ECG test
There are several recommendations for carrying out an ECG with the Holter method:
- abnormal heart rhythms (e.g. palpitations, increased beats);
- conduction disturbances, e.g. bradycardia - too slow heart rate (below 60 beats per minute), exclusion or confirmation of the so-called heart block;
- ischemic heart disease;
- the need to check the efficiency of the pacemaker;
- confirmation or exclusion of cardiological causes in cases of fainting, fainting, loss of consciousness, attacks of dyspnea, dizziness;
- check the progress of treating cardiac arrhythmias.
How to interpret the results of the Holter method?
After the time specified by the doctor for heart rate monitoring, you must visit the clinic, where the device will be removed - do not do it yourself. During the examination, the electrical impulses constantly produced by our heart were stored electronically on the memory card.
This record is entered into a computer with a special data analysis program. The recorded impulses are processed by the computer into charts. The specialist compares these charts with the notes we make in the diary.
Based on thisanalysis, the cardiologist can make an accurate diagnosis and - if necessary - order treatment.
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