Heart monitoring

A standard or resting ECG is one of the simplest and fastest tests we use to evaluate the heart. Small, plastic patches, called electrodes, are put on certain points on the chest and abdomen. The electrodes are connected to an ECG machine by wires. The electrical activity of the heart can be measured, recorded, and printed. No electricity is sent into the body.

Holter monitors record electrical impulses in different parts of the heart — to show how fast the heart is beating and the rhythm of the heartbeats (steady or irregular). It also records the strength and timing of the electrical impulses.

There are two main types of event monitors: symptom event monitors and memory looping monitors.

When you activate a symptom event monitor, it records the information from the heart’s electrical signal for the next few minutes. A memory looping monitor does the same thing. However, it also records the information from a few minutes before the device was activated, so data from before, during and after the symptom will be captured.

Some devices can transmit the recorded information directly back to us. This allows us to analyze the electrical activity of your heart while you are having symptoms.

Patch recorders are typically small, lightweight, and portable, making them convenient to use and easy to wear. They typically have sensors that detect and record the electrical activity of the heart, and they transmit this information wirelessly to a receiver or a device that can store and display the data. Some patch recorders may also have additional sensors to monitor other vital signs, such as blood pressure or body temperature.

Patch recorders can be worn for a short period of time, such as a few days, or for a longer period, depending on the specific needs of the patient and the reason for the monitoring. The data collected by the patch recorder can be analyzed by a healthcare professional to identify any potential issues with the heart's activity and to guide treatment decisions.

The implanted loop recorder has sensors that detect and record the electrical activity of the heart, and it stores this information in its memory. The device can be programmed to automatically record the heart's activity at certain intervals or to record continuously. The data can be retrieved from the device at a later time by a healthcare professional using a special device that communicates with the implanted loop recorder wirelessly.

Implantable loop recorders are typically used when other types of heart monitors, such as Holter monitors or patch recorders, are not suitable or have not been able to detect a problem with the heart's activity. They are typically used for longer-term monitoring, and the device can remain implanted for up to several years before it needs to be replaced.