What does a heart holter monitor test for?
A Holter monitor is a small ECG heart monitor that records your heart’s activity over 24 or 48 hours. They can be extremely useful in detecting irregular heartbeat or heart palpitations over time, even if this was not picked up by traditional ECG.
In addition to continuously recording ECG data, some devices, like the one we use - QardioCore - also monitors heart rate and heart rate variability, skin temperature, respiratory rate and activity tracking – giving cardiologists a greater insight into their patients’ overall heart health and behaviour.
Your GP might suggest a Holter monitor test if you are experiencing dizziness or unexplained fainting, prolonged periods of tiredness and low blood pressure. Alternatively, you might decide to test yourself prior to consulting a doctor, so that you have some actual data to discuss during your appointment. This option also means you can bypass NHS waiting times and get a faster route to treatment.
Wearing a Holter monitor while you do your daily activities, taking exercise or sleeping, gives a greater opportunity to detect any irregularities. Your clinician might also advise the use of a Holter monitor to find out whether your heart is receiving oxygen or to determine if your heart medication or pacemaker is working efficiently.
If you would like to do a home ECG test, find out more about our QardioCore test and diagnosis service.