Holter monitor

The Holter monitor test is used to record your child's ECG tracing continuously for a period of 24 hours or longer. When symptoms such as dizziness, fainting, low blood pressure, prolonged fatigue, chest pain or palpitations (fast or irregular heartbeats) continue to occur without a definitive diagnosis obtained with a resting ECG, your child's physician may request an ECG tracing to be recorded over a long period.

The Holter monitor provides the physician a better opportunity to capture any abnormal heartbeats or rhythms that may be causing your child's symptoms, especially if they occur infrequently. Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) may be intermittent in nature and not seen during the shorter recording times of the resting or signal-average ECG.

How is the Holter monitor procedure performed?

ECG electrodes will be placed on your child's chest, and the ECG monitor will be attached to the electrodes with lead wires. The ECG monitor is small and portable – smaller than a deck of cards. The monitor may have a shoulder strap or it may clip to a belt or pocket. You will be given instructions regarding:

• How to keep the electrodes attached to your child's skin
• How to check the monitor for problems
• When to call the physician's office for help
• How to keep the electrodes and monitor dry by not allowing your child to take a shower or tub bath (a sponge bath is usually allowed) or go swimming.
• How to avoid situations where your child may perspire excessively, causing the electrodes to detach
• How to keep a diary during the procedure, noting the date and time of day of any changes in activity and symptoms your child experiences.

Once your child has been connected to the monitor and you have been given instructions, your child will be allowed to return to usual activities, such as playing and going to school, unless the physician instructs you otherwise. You will be given a telephone number to call in case one or more of the electrodes comes off or if the monitor starts beeping. After 24 hours, the holter monitor is returned so that the data can be analyzed and interpreted by a cardiologist.