Many heart problems are noticeable only during activities such as exercise, eating, sex, stress, bowel movements or sleeping. Holter and event monitors are types of ambulatory (outpatient) electrocardiograms (EKG or ECG). Ambulatory electrocardiograms are helpful for identifying abnormal heartbeats that occur during these activities.
What Is Holter and Event Monitoring?
Many people have irregular heartbeats (arrhythmias) occasionally. Because arrhythmias can come and go, it may be hard to record one during testing in a doctor’s office.
Holter and event monitoring can help your doctor track your heart’s electrical activity while you go about your usual activities:
- Holter monitor: A Holter monitor is a small, wearable device that records your heart rhythm continuously for up to 72 hours.
- Event monitor: An event monitor is a wearable device that records your heart continuously for three to 30 days. Support staff at the company supplying the monitor tracks these recordings. They report urgent findings to your doctor. If or when you experience symptoms, you push buttons on the monitor to mark the time and type of symptom.
Holter and event monitors can catch abnormal rhythms that may be concerning, but don’t cause symptoms. Cardiac event monitors help your doctor:
- Check how well an implanted pacemaker is working
- Check how well your medications are working
- Study symptoms that may be heart-related, like palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting
- Identify irregular heartbeats
Holter and Event Monitoring: The Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Advantage
At Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, we make it easy to get ambulatory EKGs. We provide Holter and event monitors at 15 convenient outpatient cardiac testing locations across Central Pennsylvania. That means most people around Lancaster County can get this equipment by driving 15 minutes or less.
We also offer timely results and personalized care plans thanks to on-site cardiologists and nurses with The Heart Group of Lancaster General Health. These nationally and internationally recognized providers are experienced in interpreting EKG results and determining the best next steps.
If you need follow-up care, our Heart Group doctors have special expertise in the full range of cardiology specialty areas. They work together to provide seamless care and the most effective treatments across our 18 subspecialty heart clinics, including our Electrophysiology Clinic.
What to Expect When Wearing an Event or Holter Monitor
Holter Monitor
If your doctor orders a Holter monitor for you:
- A technician places electrodes, or patches, on your chest. The Holter monitor connects to the patches via wires.
- You wear the Holter monitor around your neck or clipped to your belt or pocket.
- After you get instructions, you return to your usual activities, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Your doctor may ask you to keep a diary of symptoms that you notice while wearing the monitor.
CAM Monitor
A CAM (Carnation Ambulatory Monitor) is a wire-free cardiac event monitor that you wear on your chest. If your doctor orders a CAM for you:
- A technician places a midsternal patch on your chest.
- You wear the patch from seven to 14 days.
- After you get instructions, you return to your usual activities, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
- Your doctor may ask you to keep a diary of symptoms that you notice while wearing the monitor.
Event Monitor
Typically, the company that supplies the heart event monitor mails it to you. It should come with instructions on how to place the electrodes and use it.
You wear two electrodes on your chest that connect to the monitor throughout the day, except when bathing. You return the monitor in a postage-paid envelope.
Make an Appointment
To schedule heart testing with one of our cardiologists, call 717-544-5941.