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How Does a Holter Monitor Regulate Stress?

A holter monitor is an electromagnetic device that is usually used in monitoring the cardiovascular activity of your body for at least 24 hours or longer in a period of about two weeks at a time. Although the portable device is used for monitoring the heart activity or electrocardiography (ECG), it can also be used in monitoring the arterial pressure or electroencephalography (EEG). In other words, this is an outpatient based ECG device suitable for monitoring and regulating a patient’s stress.

When using a standard ECG device, a medical practitioner will place electrodes at various positions on the chest and abdomen so as to evaluate your heart’s activity. The small plastic patches or electrodes will then be connected to an ECG portable device (by lead wires) that will measure, interpret, and record the electrical activity of the heart. In case of any stress related symptoms on the ECG print out, the doctor will be able to make an all inclusive diagnosis before recommending the next way forward.

In most cases, professional heart disease doctors prefer recommending a standard ECG run for more than 24 hours when certain symptoms appear to be severe. Some of the symptoms that may prompt a resting ECG or standard ECG procedure include:

• Low blood pressure
• Protracted fatigue
• Fainting and feeling weak
• Dizziness and lightheadedness
• Palpitations

Stress is one of the conditions that can cause abnormal heart rhythms that lead to the above symptoms. The dysrhythmias and arrhythmias cannot be easily detected if an ECG tracing or holter monitor machine is set to run for a few hours. In fact, some holter ECG machines have an event monitor which will activate immediately if the symptoms start occurring. Therefore, the doctor doesn’t have to analyze a holter machine for 48 hours in case it was set to run for that long in order to get the exact readings.

You’ll receive instructions on how to wear the holter device safely without distracting the procedure of recording signals or making detachments that may affect the outcome. The doctor will also guide you on how to keep a detailed diary of your activities and symptoms during the ECG tracing period.

Dr. Seldon, a Heart Doctor and Cardiologist in New York City, offers same day appointments and all testing is done on site.  Call us at (212) 367-8000.