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Ambulatory ECG monitoring is a helpful tool for understanding heart health. It involves using portable devices to continuously track a person’s heart activity for an extended period, usually a day or more.
What Is Ambulatory ECG Monitoring?
Ambulatory ECG monitoring, also known as ambulatory electrocardiography or Holter monitoring, is a diagnostic technique that involves continuously recording a person’s electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) over an extended period.
Unlike traditional ECGs performed in a clinical setting, ambulatory monitoring allows for the continuous assessment of the heart’s electrical activity during the individual’s normal daily activities. This extended monitoring period provides a more comprehensive view of the heart’s behaviour and aids in capturing irregularities that may not be evident during short-term tests.
Who Needs Ambulatory ECG Monitoring?
Ambulatory ECG (electrocardiogram) monitoring is a diagnostic tool used to record the heart’s electrical activity over an extended period while the patient goes about their daily activities. This type of monitoring is typically recommended for individuals who may be experiencing intermittent symptoms such as palpitations, dizzy spells or fainting episodes or those at risk of certain cardiac conditions such as stroke patients to screen for underlying irregular heart rhythms. It can also help to monitor treatment for certain conditions such as atrial fibrillation (irregularity of the heart beat).
How to Prepare For Ambulatory ECG Monitoring?
To prepare for ambulatory ECG monitoring, start by showering on the monitoring day and avoiding lotions on the chest. Wear loose, comfortable clothing, and discuss your medications with your doctor to determine whether any adjustments are necessary during the monitoring period. Continue to take your medications and inform the doctor about allergies or skin conditions.
Avoid strong magnetic fields as these can interfere with recordings, and keep a symptom diary. There is no need to fast or have any dietary restrictions prior.
What Happens During Ambulatory ECG Monitoring?
During ambulatory ECG monitoring, electrodes are attached to your chest and connected to a portable Holter monitor. This device records your heart’s electrical activity over 24 hours to 7 days while maintaining regular activities.
Instructions are given on device use, and you’re provided a diary to log any symptoms experienced during this period. It’s essential to avoid moisture, such as bathing, to prevent damage to the device. After completing the monitoring, you return the equipment to your doctor, who analyses the recorded ECG data.
A diagnostic report is then generated, detailing abnormal heart rhythms and their correlation with reported symptoms. In a follow-up consultation, your doctor will discuss the results with you and may recommend further tests or treatment based on the findings.
What To Do After Ambulatory ECG Monitoring?
After completing ambulatory ECG monitoring, carefully remove the electrodes and return the Holter monitor along with your symptom diary to your doctor. You can resume normal activities after.
Schedule a follow-up consultation to discuss the results with your doctor, who will correlate the recorded data with your symptoms and provide insights into your heart’s electrical activity. During this appointment, recommendations for further diagnostic tests or adjustments to your treatment plan may be discussed.
Maintain open communication with your doctor, promptly addressing any concerns or new symptoms for ongoing comprehensive cardiac care.
What are the Risks of an Ambulatory ECG Monitoring?
Ambulatory ECG monitoring is generally safe, but there are some minimal risks associated with the procedure. The most common risk is skin irritation or allergies caused by the adhesive used to attach the electrodes. To minimise this risk, it’s essential to ensure the skin is clean and dry before applying the electrodes.
Additionally, there is a slight possibility of infection if the skin is not adequately cleaned. Overall, these risks are relatively low, and the benefits of ambulatory ECG monitoring in diagnosing heart-related issues often outweigh these potential concerns.
