If your doctor diagnoses you with irregular cardiac symptoms that are non-life threatening, he or she will probably prescribe a Holter Monitor for you to wear. This fairly common device helps monitor the electrical activity in your heart.


Steps

1. Set an appointment with the cardiologist or hospital for you to get the monitor. Typically a monitor is worn 24 to 48 hours. Your doctor will have prescribed the required time to you.
2. Go to get the monitor, the tech may put it on for you. If he or she does, they will affix sticky patches to your skin that help get a more clear reading. If the tech gives you the monitor, you will have to attach it yourself.
3. Attach the monitor, clean your skin very well with soap and alcohol, and affix the patches as directed. Some of them have a gel to affix, and some of them have self-stick pads.
4. Attach the electrical leads to the pads according to the instructions. Typically you'll use a sticky surgical tape.
5. Conduct your normal activities while wearing the monitor. However, you will not be permitted to remove the monitor or get it wet; this means you cannot shower while wearing it.
   
   
   • When the data measurement period is over, remove the pads and return the device to the cardiologist. Your doctor may have a solvent to help making removal of the patches easier.
   • The doctor will read the data from the machine and interpret it; he or she will then decide where to take your treatment from here.

Tips

• Some Holter monitors are smaller than others; the smallest are the size of a deck of cards and have four leads. They range in size and mode up to large packs with 8+ leads. You will probably either wear the battery pack/recorder around your neck, or clipped to a belt.
• If one of the leads pops off the pad, reattach it as soon as possible with more tape.
• You will probably be given a small diary or sheet to fill out in case you experience any abnormal symptoms. Note down the time and symptom and be sure to turn the diary back in with the monitor.
• Try not do to anything that will have you sweating heavily or coming in contact with any other water.

Warnings

• Some people find the monitor obtrusive while trying to sleep. Just do the best you can.