7-14 Day ECG Holter Monitor
Services
Indications
Your doctor might recommend a 7-14 Day ECG Holter Monitor for various heart health concerns. Here’s why you might need this longer test:
- Experiencing Certain Symptoms: If you've felt dizzy, fainted, had breathing issues, or chest pain, this monitor helps check if these symptoms are heart-related.
- Suspected Arrhythmias: If your heartbeat feels irregular—too slow, too fast, or uneven—a Holter Monitor can detect these arrhythmias over a more extended period.
- Unexplained Fainting or Near-Fainting: This test can explore if your fainting or near-fainting episodes are caused by heart problems.
- Pacemaker Monitoring: If you have a pacemaker, this monitor can check its function over several days.
- Risk Assessment After a Heart Attack: Post-heart attack, this monitor helps assess the risk of future heart issues over a longer span.
- Monitoring Medication Effectiveness: If you're treated for heart rhythm issues, the monitor evaluates how well your medication is working over 7 to 14 days.
- Assessing Silent Ischaemia: For checking silent ischaemia—where your heart doesn't get enough oxygen without clear symptoms—after specific tests like an exercise stress test.
What is a 7-14 Day ECG Holter Monitor?
A 7-14 Day ECG Holter Monitor is a portable device that records your heart’s electrical activity for 7 to 14 days continuously. It’s used for a longer time than the typical 24-hour monitor to gather more data on your heart’s health.
What can I expect during the test?
Before the Test
During the Test
After the Test
- Preparation: Please shower before your appointment as you won’t be able to while wearing the monitor. Men may need to shave chest hair to ensure the electrodes adhere properly.
During the Test
- Fitting the Monitor: It takes about 15 minutes to fit the monitor. A technician will clean your skin, then attach 4 to 5 electrodes to your chest. These sticky patches pick up your heart’s signals and are linked to the monitor, which you’ll carry in a pouch under your clothes.
- Living with the Monitor: You can mostly continue with your daily routine, but you should avoid activities that might wet or damage the monitor.
- Logging Symptoms: If you experience symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness, press the event button on the monitor. It’s important to also log these events in a diary, noting what you were doing at the time.
After the Test
- Returning the Equipment: After the monitoring period, remove the monitor and return it and your diary as instructed by your healthcare provider. A cardiologist will review the recorded data and any events you logged.
What are the risks of the test?
The test is generally safe and non-invasive. Minor risks include skin irritation or, in rare cases, an allergic reaction to the electrode gel.
Preparation
(This test will take up to 15-30 minutes)
Ensure personal hygiene by showering before your test. You might also be asked for a $50 security deposit to cover the monitor, refundable once it’s returned in good condition.
Request an Appointment with Heartscope.
Call us or submit a request form to make an online booking.