The Holter method is painless and you do not need to prepare yourself for it. In addition, they can be performed regardless of age or medications. When the heart starts 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 examination is performed in order to record the heart activity around the clock, which allows the cardiologist to make an accurate diagnosis or order an appropriate treatment.
The Holter electrocardiographic examination differs from the regular, resting ECG in that it lasts around the clock (sometimes two or even a week), not a few minutes. A cardiologist will usually refer you for a Holter examination.
Do you need to prepare somehow?
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 records the heart activity during a typical day - when we work, play, get nervous, play sports, rest, sleep, etc.
How does the Holter test work?
In order for the electrodes of the apparatus to hold well, the technician first degreases the skin with a gauze pad soaked in alcohol or a special paste. He then attaches several single-use electrodes to the breast, around the heart.
The electrodes are connected with wires to a miniature apparatus resembling a cell. This camera is placed in a case that is fastened with a belt around the waist. When it is turned on, the device begins to record the electrical activity of the heart, second by second, around the clock. The patient must keep a diary - write down the most important activities and symptoms that appeared during their performance, e.g. at 15.00 going up the stairs to the third floor - shortness of breath and increased heart rate; 18.00 - quarrel with the child and palpitations.
When wearing the device, you should avoid bathing the whole body, because wetting the device or electrodes would prevent further testing. Also, do not use a pillow or an electric blanket as they may interfere with the camera's operation. If any electrodes come off, attach themin the same place with a band-aid or replace them with spare electrodes, which we usually get when putting on the apparatus.
Graph result
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, 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 this analysis, the cardiologist can make an accurate diagnosis and, if necessary, order treatment.
Test indications
There are several recommendations for carrying out an ECG with the Holter method:
- abnormal heart rhythm(e.g. palpitations, increased beating),
- conduction disturbances , e.g. bradycardia - too slow heart rate (less than 60 beats per minute), exclusion or confirmation of the so-called heart block,
- ischemic heart disease ,
- the need to check the efficiency of the pacemakerof the heart,
- confirmation or exclusion of cardiological causesin cases of fainting, fainting, loss of consciousness, attacks of dyspnea, dizziness,
- treatment progress controlof cardiac arrhythmias.
bow. Ewa Nargiełło - cardiologist, 1st Department and Clinic of Cardiology, Medical University of Warsaw, Biały Kamień Clinic in Warsaw
The Holter test can be performed on patients of all ages, including pregnant women, and should be repeated many times, even at short intervals.
