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The Holter test is also known as a heart test. It lasts around the clock, thanks to which the obtained measurements are reliable. The method is painless and requires no special preparation.
Holter examination – what is it?
The Holter test (the name of the test and the device comes from the name of the American biophysicist Norman Holter) is a completely safe method of checking the work of the heart, therefore it can also be performed in children. The examination performed on them does not differ significantly from that performed on adults.
How is it going? First, the technician puts a special apparatus on the patient’s body with electrodes measuring individual parameters. This is done only after degreasing the areas of the heart area where they should be placed. For men, a small amount of hair may be shaved off to keep the electrodes snug against the body. The electrodes are connected to a special device of small size, which does not obstruct everyday life activities. It contains a special case, thanks to which it is possible to attach it to the waist, on a belt. Measurements are turned on with a special button. From that moment on, the device monitors the work of the heart.
It is necessary to keep a special diary. It should record specific activities and symptoms. One of the biggest problems with the Holter study is that patients often do not keep an accurate diary, which greatly limits the interpretation of the monitor. The device must not get wet. It happens that the electrodes come off – in such a situation it is enough to stick them in the same place. They can be attached to a regular plaster without a dressing. If the electrodes have become detached from the Holter, simply plug them back into the device. Your doctor may order Holter monitoring for 12, 24, or 48 hours, depending on your symptoms and how often they occur.
Also read: Life-saving research – heart research
Holter test – Pressure Holter
There is also another version of the Holter test (also known as Holter abpm or Holter rr) that measures the pressure value. The survey is also available 15 hours a day. The apparatus is similar, but has a cuff. The device turns on every 30–30 minutes during the day and every 60–XNUMX minutes at night. It is possible to make the so-called on-demand measurement. It is usually performed during ailments. After the test, the device is removed and connected to a computer, where a special program reads the measurements and interprets the results.
The pressure recorder is a non-invasive test that allows for an accurate assessment of the pressure value in a patient. Thanks to this, it is possible to make a specific diagnosis. There is no possibility of making mistakes because the device carries out many measurements, so the obtained values are reliable. The pressure recorder is recommended when we want to check the effectiveness of the pharmacological treatment.
Interestingly, there is another version of the Holter known as the Holter EEG, which studies the electrical work of the brain using electrodes attached to the patient’s head.
Find out more: Burning sensation in the chest – heart or lungs?
Holter examination – course
The camera does not interfere with your daily activities. Moreover, the more the patient behaves like he does in everyday life, the better, because the results will be reliable and will show how the heart actually reacts to everyday activities. There is also no need to stick to a special diet while wearing the Holter, and there are no contraindications for sports.
The test has no side effects, so if you have unclear results, you can repeat it as many times as you like. Sometimes the Holter test is the only method that will show us heart or pressure problems. It is worth keeping this in mind and not giving up this well-known diagnostic method.
Holter examination – what not to do during?
The Holter examination monitors the patient’s heartbeat around the clock. This makes it easy to locate the causes of arrhythmias, as well as factors that provoke abnormalities in the work of the heart. However, you should remember to follow certain recommendations that will make the results reliable.
- During the Holter test, it is not recommended to use a mobile phone as it may cause interference. If you really need to use a telephone, it is recommended to keep it as far away from the ECG recorder as possible.
- During the Holter examination, it is also not recommended to take a bath or shower. It would also be better for us to skip swimming or immersing ourselves in the water. This is due to the fact that contact with water disrupts the operation of the Holter and in extreme cases even permanently damage it. The patient may use wet wipes or a sponge and soap to clean areas such as the face, armpits, buttocks, and groin.
- Another rule that should not be forgotten is not to use electric pillows and blankets during the Holter test, because these can also interfere with the operation of the device. Some electronic devices may also interfere with the operation of the Holter. They include devices such as electric toothbrushes, razors, microwaves and the aforementioned mobile phones. It is recommended to avoid high voltage areas while wearing the Holter as magnetic or electric fields may reduce the accuracy of the reading. It’s better to avoid strong magnets like those found in MRI machines and metal detectors.
It should be mentioned at this point that when wearing the Holter, it is worth paying attention to the intensity of sweating, as excessive sweating may cause the electrodes to loosen or disconnect from the skin.
During the Holter examination, it is worth changing your daily habits and taking a closer look at your body and its reaction to specific situations.
Find out more: What should I know about ischemic heart disease?
Holter examination – indications
The indications for Holter’s examination include:
- dizziness, fainting and fainting (with suspected cardiac causes);
- palpitations, and irregular heartbeat called heart block (that is, the slow work of the heart muscle);
- coronary artery disease;
- conditions after a heart attack (the Holter can show if there is a risk of another heart attack; the device shows if the heart is getting enough oxygen, even if there are no symptoms; the monitor shows when these conditions are happening and how the heart is reacting);
- suspicion of arrhythmia;
- antiarrhythmic treatment (thanks to the Holter test, it is possible to control the effectiveness of treatment, especially if it is performed before the start of taking medications and later while taking them for a summary of the results);
- implanted pacemaker (the Holter allows you to control the operation of the pacemaker, which in turn allows the doctor to check if the pacemaker is working properly);
- planned heart surgery (before heart surgery it may be necessary to wear a Holter to allow doctors to record the normal rhythm of the heart);
- irregular heartbeat during pregnancy (an irregular heartbeat may harm your and your baby’s health).
Holter test – interpretation of results
Various factors are taken into account when interpreting the Holter test results. Results depend on gender and age. Only a doctor can interpret the measurements. It is not worth trying to do this on your own. Due to the fact that the Holter test is a safe method, it can be performed at any age.
See also: Cardiological diseases during the pandemic. How to take care of your heart without leaving home?
Holter test – side effects
There are no risks involved and no pain associated with wearing the Holter. Holter devices have leads that connect to small disks (electrodes) attached to the chest to record the heartbeat. As the electrodes are held in place with tape or glue, they can cause slight skin irritation. It’s best to inform your doctor if you are allergic to any tapes or adhesives.
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