What does a Holter monitor do?

A Holter monitor is a portable device used to continuously record the electrical activity of the heart, typically over a period of 24 to 48 hours. This monitoring is crucial for diagnosing arrhythmias or other cardiac conditions that may not be detectable during a standard electrocardiogram (ECG) performed in a clinical setting. The Holter monitor allows healthcare professionals to observe the heart's rhythm during daily activities, capturing data during both normal and symptomatic episodes.

The importance of this continuous recording lies in its ability to highlight variations in heart rhythm that can occur throughout the day, providing a more comprehensive view of the patient’s heart health and leading to more accurate diagnoses. By analyzing the data collected during the monitoring period, clinicians can identify patterns that may correlate with symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, or syncope.