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What Are The Advantage Of Holter Monitor Examination During A Cardiac Event?
Posted on
Fri, 14 Oct 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Fri, 14 Oct 2016
Answered on
Sat, 5 Nov 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : Hi. So after a clear echo and ekg we are moving to a Holter monitor to figure out my palpatations and tight chest. An added dificulty is that I am housebound from agoraphobia. There is a company that can come to my house for the Holter but not Event Monitor. My doctor is insisting on the event monitor which means I most likely won't get it since i can not leave the house. Is there an advantage to the event vs holtor other than that holtor records continiously and the event I push a button when I feel symptoms?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome back on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that basically these tests are used for the same thing : to examine your heart rhythm and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia.
The difference is :
1- While the Holter monitoring registers every heart beat during a certain period, the Event Monitor registers only when you switch it on (when you feel palpitations). So in fact the Holter monitoring gives a lot more information regarding your heart rhythm during all your daily activities compared to the Event Monitoring, which gives information only during your troubles.
2- The information registered on the Event Monitoring can be sent by phone as soon as registered to your doctor and he can see it from his office or hospital in a few minutes and discuss with you about that.
While the information registered on the Holter is examined only after you take it off, and the doctor examines the registrations in the hospital.
3- It is difficult to correlate the palpitations that you feel at a certain time of the day with the ECG registrations in a Holter monitoring (and determine if it is abnormal during those moments of palpitations), while the Event monitoring can do this more easily. Anyway, there are also Holter monitoring machines, which have a button that you can push when you feel palpitations (and the time is registered). Another way, is to sign in a notebook the exact time of the palpitations when you feel them and the duration and give it to your doctor after taking off the Holter monitoring machine.
So, these are the main differences, which are not really important.
If an Event Monitor in not offered by the company, I would strongly recommend performing a Holter monitoring.
The conclusions will be quite similar.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome back on HCM!
Regarding your concern, I would explain that basically these tests are used for the same thing : to examine your heart rhythm and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia.
The difference is :
1- While the Holter monitoring registers every heart beat during a certain period, the Event Monitor registers only when you switch it on (when you feel palpitations). So in fact the Holter monitoring gives a lot more information regarding your heart rhythm during all your daily activities compared to the Event Monitoring, which gives information only during your troubles.
2- The information registered on the Event Monitoring can be sent by phone as soon as registered to your doctor and he can see it from his office or hospital in a few minutes and discuss with you about that.
While the information registered on the Holter is examined only after you take it off, and the doctor examines the registrations in the hospital.
3- It is difficult to correlate the palpitations that you feel at a certain time of the day with the ECG registrations in a Holter monitoring (and determine if it is abnormal during those moments of palpitations), while the Event monitoring can do this more easily. Anyway, there are also Holter monitoring machines, which have a button that you can push when you feel palpitations (and the time is registered). Another way, is to sign in a notebook the exact time of the palpitations when you feel them and the duration and give it to your doctor after taking off the Holter monitoring machine.
So, these are the main differences, which are not really important.
If an Event Monitor in not offered by the company, I would strongly recommend performing a Holter monitoring.
The conclusions will be quite similar.
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks so much. I think I may switch to a cardiologidt as I am still just working with my GP. Since my taccacardia episode 2 weeks ago I have been taking 1/2 of a 25mg Altenolol (I know I butchered that spelling). Since then my chest feels tight 24 hours a day. I honestly can not tell if this is just me worrying about my heart or an additional concern I should have. Im 39. 107 lbs. Not very active. But I dont drink or smoke. I'm trying to find comfort in the fact that my EKGs are normal and my echocardiogram was normal other than the littl
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hhello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
The chest tightness is not related to the heart.
So relax and don't worry about it!
Anxiety can be the cause of these symptoms.
Atenolol is known to cause low physical performance or bradycardia as possible adverse effects.
What is your actual heart rate?
Anyway, you are taking a really low dose of atenolol.
So there is nothing to worry about!
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask me!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hhello again!
Thank you for the additional information!
The chest tightness is not related to the heart.
So relax and don't worry about it!
Anxiety can be the cause of these symptoms.
Atenolol is known to cause low physical performance or bradycardia as possible adverse effects.
What is your actual heart rate?
Anyway, you are taking a really low dose of atenolol.
So there is nothing to worry about!
If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask me!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks so much. Without the Atenolol my resting heart rate is around 95-100. Since taking it my resting has dropped to the high 70s - 80s. I'm guessing that a desk job and no exercise does not help. I only have anxiety when I leave the house. So I don't think that is a factor at home. Although lately it may be since I am so worried about my heart health. Was hoping the clear echocardiogram would ease my worries. But no luck there lol
Brief Answer:
My opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Your normal cardiac ultrasound has shown a normal heart structure and function. This is very reassuring.
From the other hand chest tightness is not related to any cardiac disorder.
The Holter monitoring is needed to exclude possible arrhythmia, which is usually manifested with palpitations, but chest pain is really not related to the heart.
Anxiety seems to play an important role in your chest tightness.
Regarding atenolol, considering your heart rate values, I would recommend continuing taking it (it is really at a low dose).
I would also recommend performing thyroid function tests, to exclude a possible thyroid dysfunction which can trigger this symptomatology.
Anyway, let me know about the Holter results.
I would be happy to review all your uploaded tests for a second professional opinion.
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
My opinion as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
Your normal cardiac ultrasound has shown a normal heart structure and function. This is very reassuring.
From the other hand chest tightness is not related to any cardiac disorder.
The Holter monitoring is needed to exclude possible arrhythmia, which is usually manifested with palpitations, but chest pain is really not related to the heart.
Anxiety seems to play an important role in your chest tightness.
Regarding atenolol, considering your heart rate values, I would recommend continuing taking it (it is really at a low dose).
I would also recommend performing thyroid function tests, to exclude a possible thyroid dysfunction which can trigger this symptomatology.
Anyway, let me know about the Holter results.
I would be happy to review all your uploaded tests for a second professional opinion.
Wishing all the best,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you so much Dr. IIiri. I will keep you posted. They are refusing to change the order from an event to a holter because they want 30 day tracking. So it may be some time until I am able to get to the facility that isssues them. Unless I can find a facility that does home visits. And you mentioned the arrhythmia Interestingly this happened to me in 2009 and they did catch it on the echo. An arrhythmia. But at the time the cardiologist I saw was not very concerned .
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
In fact the reason why your doctor has prescribed an Event monitor is just to exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia, underlying your palpitations.
It is important to determine your heart rhythm during those episodes of rapid heart rate (palpitations).
There are also benign type of cardiac arrhythmia like ectopic heart beats, which are commonly seen in healthy individuals during physical or emotional stress.
Anyway, an Event monitor or a Holter monitor would help examine your heart rhythm during those episodes and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia.
I hope you will arrange to do those tests in a near future.
I would be happy to review those results for you!
You can ask me directly at any time on my personal link below:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=69765
Wishing good health!
Dr. Iliri
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
In fact the reason why your doctor has prescribed an Event monitor is just to exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia, underlying your palpitations.
It is important to determine your heart rhythm during those episodes of rapid heart rate (palpitations).
There are also benign type of cardiac arrhythmia like ectopic heart beats, which are commonly seen in healthy individuals during physical or emotional stress.
Anyway, an Event monitor or a Holter monitor would help examine your heart rhythm during those episodes and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia.
I hope you will arrange to do those tests in a near future.
I would be happy to review those results for you!
You can ask me directly at any time on my personal link below:
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=69765
Wishing good health!
Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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