Reliable
view of heart rhythms
What is a Holter?
A Holter 24-hour ECG, or simply “Holter”, is a method to record a person’s heart rhythm for 24 hours, and 2 – 7 days. The device with which this is done is a small box with leads, which are stuck to the body with the help of stickers (electrodes). You will receive a diary in which you must write down your activities during the Holter recording. This way you can later compare the detected heart rhythm at a certain time with the activities that you were doing at that time. In this way, the cause of your symptoms, such as heart palpitations, dizziness, seizures, etc. can be investigated.
What is a complaint / event recorder (or cardiac event recorder)?
With a event recorder (or cardiac event recorder) it is possible to “register occasional complaints.”
You wear a recording recorder for a few days and when you have complaints, you switch on the recording recorder to save an ECG. Our analysts read the memory of the complaint recorder, analyze the ECG and report to the doctor.
What to do with a loose electrode (sticker)?
Paste it back in the same place. For extra strengthening, stick a plaster (leukoplast) well over the electrode and the skin.
If in doubt, contact your hospital or Meddis.
Can I take a shower with a Holter recorder or an eventrecorder?
Meddis uses high sophisticated Holter recorders produced by the company Bittium (based in Finland). These recorders are waterproof, so it is possible to take a shower during the Holter Recording.
Can I go into the sauna with a Holter recorder or an eventrecorder?
Yes, you can go into the sauna when you are connected to a holterecorder or carry an eventrecorder. You can also use an infrared sauna. ATTENTION! The equipment can handle the sauna, but because of the sweating it is most likely that the ECG electrodes will release. If this happens, make a note of this in your holterdiary and replace the electrode.
Can I sleep with a Holter recorder on an electric blanket?
Yes, you can. There is no problem since the current electric blankets use a low voltage.
Can my child play in the sandbox when he is connected to a Holter recorder?
No, your child cannot play in a sandbox or at the beach when he is connected to a holterrecorder or an eventrecorder. Chances are that sand comes into the device, which will ensure for serious faults or even irreparable damage.
Is it possible that a detection gate at the airport or in a store affect the recording?
No, you can walk quietly through a detection gate with a holter- or eventrecorder. This will not affect the recording.
Does an MRI scan affect the recording?
Yes. The MRI scanner uses huge magnetic fields. This magnetism disrupts the recording and even causes irreparable damage to the recording equipment. Before you go into the MRI-room take off the Holter recorder. When you are finished, attach new electrodes and the Holter recorder.
Is your question not listed here? Then contact us.
More holter information
About the Holter recorder
A Holter recorder is an extremely refined and sensitive recording device that records your heartbeat. Meddis uses the most modern holter recorders that are slightly larger than a small (match) box. A holter recorder is not watertight and contact with water must therefore be prevented!
A Holter recorder is connected in the hospital. Electrodes (stickers) are stuck on the chest and the recorder is switched on. You will be told when you need to come back to disconnect the holter recorder. Then the recorder is turned off and the electrodes removed. Do not do this yourself (without being asked and without instruction!)
While recording your heart rate, do as much as possible as you normally do (work, exercise, DIY, shopping or DIY, etc.). You should note the details in the diary that you received.
For example:
8:00 am: medication taken (1 Paracetamol 500 mgr. + 1 Lasix 10 mgr.)
10:30 am: drank coffee
11:00 am: shopping done
11:15 am: heart palpitations (pressed on the button !!)
If you feel something special, press the blue button on the holter recorder once. You decide when and for what you press the button. This may be, for example, if you feel palpitations, feel dizzy, chest pain (or a pressing feeling), pain in the neck or arms, and so on. The analyst will then see in the registration exactly when you have pressed the blue button and can then view in detail how your heart works at that moment (based on the recorded ECG).
Important notices:
- never cut the wires (between the holter recorder and the stickers)!
- If you have any questions (about the recorder), contact your hospital or Meddis
Loose stickers
Meddis uses high-quality special electrodes for making holter recordings. It can happen that one or more electrodes come off. Loose electrodes do not register your heart rate, but cause a lot of interference.
Try re-attaching the electrode (s) to the chest and attaching leukoplast (or another patch) properly. In any case, make a note in the diary that the electrode (s) was loose and that you have stuck it back on. The analyst can take this into account when analyzing th
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