Cardiac event monitors

Each type of monitor is slightly different, but most have sensors (called electrodes) to record the electrical activity of your heart, similar to an electrocardiogram (ECG). In some models, these attach to the skin on your chest using sticky patches. The sensors need good contact with your skin. Poor contact can cause…

Tell your provider if you are allergic to any tape or other adhesives.

For devices just placed on the skin, this is a painless test. However, the adhesive of the electrode patches may irritate your skin. This goes away on its own once you remove the patches. For devices implanted under the skin, you may be given a small amount of local anesthetic to numb the area during the incision. You…

Most often, in people with frequent symptoms, a test called Holter monitoring , which lasts 1 to 2 days, will be performed before using a cardiac event monitor. The event monitor is ordered only if no diagnosis is reached. The event monitor is also used for people who have symptoms that occur less often, such as…

Normal variations in heart rate occur with activities. A normal result is no significant changes in heart rhythms or pattern.

Abnormal results may include various arrhythmias. Changes may mean that the heart is not getting enough oxygen. It may be used to diagnose or further evaluate: Atrial fibrillation or flutter Multifocal atrial tachycardia Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia Ventricular tachycardia Slow heart rate (bradycardia)…

Skin irritation is the most common complication. There is a small risk of infection from the implantable devices. If infection occurs or is suspected, the device is removed.

Curtis AB, Tomaselli GF. Approach to the patient with cardiac arrhythmias. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine . 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 61. Fish J. Electrical cardioversion. In: Fowler GC, ed.…