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Holter Monitor

What is a Holter Monitor test and what is the cost?

The electrocardiographic holter or holter monitoring is a non-invasive diagnostic study that obtains a record of the electrical activity of the heart during a certain period of time, generally between 24 and 48 hours, the study is ambulatory and the data collected can be subsequently analyzed by the cardiologist.

The study is very effective and record the activity of the heart throughout the day, highlighting disorders of the electrical activity of the heart that can go unnoticed in a conventional electrocardiogram, since the Holter monitor offers a continuous reading of the rhythm, heart rate and its characteristics. electricity for at least 24 hours.

Grupo Cardiovascular de Tijuana

Misión de San Diego 1527, Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana, 22010 Tijuana, B.C.

How is the test performed?

Dr Lorenzo Arce Best Cardiologist Tijuana

The test done in an outpatient setting, the patient will get a medical device called holter placed at a cardiology medical office. The patient will get adhesive electrodes placed in different parts of the body these electrodes will record the electrical activity of the heart and will allow it to be monitored during the day, this will allow the doctor to identify any event or alteration that happened through the day.

The obtained tracing is transmitted to a recorder that will store the recorded data. This device is usually attached to a belt or a type of collar that is provided to the patient so that it is comfortable to wear, since it is not very large or heavy.

The patient usually leads a normal life, with the exception that certain situations in which the patient must keep some records throughout the day, this includes physical activity, stress, meals or the moment of falling asleep. The patient must later return to the office to have the electrodes removed.

The data from the record obtained through the holter monitor is subsequently evaluated by the cardiologist.

Grupo Cardiovascular de Tijuana

Misión de San Diego 1527, Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana, 22010 Tijuana, B.C.

Preparing for the exam

The test does not require great preparations. It is advisable to go to the doctor's office bathed, because during the period in which you are wearing the electrodes you will not be able to shower, since the material and the device could be damaged. The patient is given specific instructions to follow and is adviced to protect the device with a cover and keep it on a loose belt to be able to carry it comfortably.

The patient is adviced to continue going through the day as any other, performing their daily activities, take their regular medication unless indicates otherwise. It is convenient, as in all diagnostic tests, to inform your doctor of the medications that they are taking daily and if they were taken prior to the test.

What to expect from the test?

The test is painless, sometimes before placing the electrodes a little alcohol is placed on the skin with a cotton ball to clean the area so that the electrodes can adhere correctly, in case of persons with body hair, it may be necessary to shave the hair on the chest so that the electrodes will not detach or fall off. Sometimes it may require the placement of a tape on the electrodes for the same reason.

During the period that this test lasts, the patient must lead a normal life, recording the different activities that he carries out.

Dr Lorenzo Arce Best Cardiologist Tijuana

Grupo Cardiovascular de Tijuana

Misión de San Diego 1527, Zona Urbana Rio Tijuana, 22010 Tijuana, B.C.

Reasons why the test is performed

Holter monitoring is usually done when heart disease is suspected. It is capable of detecting cardiac rhythm alterations, heart morphological alterations, as well as disorders derived from coronary disease, which is why it is usually requested in situations of chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, etc. It is sometimes used to assess the changes that occur after having administered a certain medication to the patient.

Normal values

The holter recording is considered normal when there is no evidence of heart rate or rhythm disorders, as well as electrical activity consistent with the activity performed by the patient at a given time. Disorders that indicate conditions related to ischemic heart disease and coronary artery disease indicate an abnormal result.
Dr Lorenzo Arce Best Cardiologist Tijuana
Dr Lorenzo Arce Best Cardiologist Tijuana

Meaning of abnormal results

The results can be the same as the ones obtained through conventional electrocardiogram, but it gives us an in depth analysis of possible triggers of rhythm disorders and its recorder in real time.

Diagnostic possibilities include:

  • Arrhythmias such as tachycardia, blockages, bradycardias, rhythm disturbances
  • Morphological alterations of the different parts of the heart such as enlargement of the atria and ventricles
  • Defects of the heart muscle, either congenital or acquired
  • Alterations of the heart valves
  • Cardiac alterations derived from the use of a new drug
  • Ischemic heart disease

Special considerations

The risks of this test are practically non-existent. It is recommended that regions of high electrical voltage or magnets that may distort the recording and should be avoided while testing. Contact us, call us at (664) 634-31-39.

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