The test is very safe.
What Does a Holter Monitor Detect?
A Holter monitor detects infrequent or fleeting cardiac arrhythmias.
Illustration by Cindy Chung, Verywell
There are many types of cardiac arrhythmias.
They can produce various symptoms, and they differ tremendously in their medical significance and in their treatments.
This means that the arrhythmia has to be captured on an ECG.
Furthermore, symptoms due to arrhythmias may also last for only a short period of time.
This is where the Holter monitor’s value comes in.
When Should a Holter Study Be Done?
Because this ischemia is not causing symptoms, it is often referred to as silent ischemia.
So, by far, Holter monitor studies are used most often to diagnose cardiac arrhythmias.
A Holter study is not always the best kind of ambulatory ECG monitoring to perform.
What To Expect
Your healthcare provider will give you instructions before you have your Holter monitor test.
Knowing these details before the test can help ease any fear or anxiety you’re experiencing.
Holter Monitor Test Cost
The cost of the study varies.
Almost all health insurance covers Holter monitor studies as long as it is ordered by a licensed physician.
It is never a bad idea to check with your insurance company ahead of time, however.
The electrodes, wires, and recording machine are hidden under your clothes.
You will then be sent on your way.
Throughout the Test
During the test, you will simply follow your normal routine, with two big exceptions.
The precise time you experience these symptoms will be compared to the ECG recording at that moment.
you could exercise with a Holter monitor in place, but do only low-impact, light exercise.
Vigorous workouts may cause inaccurate results.
Your healthcare provider will contact you to discuss the results and possible next steps.
A normal Holter monitor result will show no significant changes in the rhythm of your heart.
Summary
The Holter monitor study is the most widely used pop in of ambulatory ECG monitoring.
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