If you ever experience symptoms such as palpitations, a racing or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, fainting, chest discomfort, or unexplained shortness of breath, a cardiac monitor can help detect abnormal heart rhythms. If symptoms tend to come and go, a regular ECG may not find a change in the heartbeat. Your healthcare team may suggest wearing an ECG monitor or cardiac monitor at home. There are several types of portable ECGs.
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Cardiac Monitoring (Holter and MCT)
A continuous monitoring test that records your heart’s electrical activity over 24 hours or longer to detect irregular heart rhythms.
1. Holter monitor:
This small, portable ECG device is worn for a day or more (up to 7 days) to record the heart’s activity. You wear it at home and during daily activities. It is used to detect irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) that may not appear in a standard ECG.
How it works
- A healthcare provider applies small conducting patches called electrodes to your chest
- The electrodes attach to a recording monitor with wires.
- You wear the monitor during normal activity
- Requires patients to keep a diary of symptoms and activities
- You return the monitor to your healthcare provider’s office after 24 to 48 hours
2. Mobile Cardiac Telemetry (MCT):
It is a more advanced, real-time heart monitoring system that can record heart activity for up to 30 days.
How it works
- It automatically detects and transmits abnormal heart rhythms to a monitoring center in real time.
- More sensitive than a Holter monitor, as it can capture any sudden life-threatening arrhythmias.
- Does not require constant patient input as it transmits data automatically.
- Often used for long term monitoring in patients with unexplained palpitations, fainting, or intermittent arrhythmias.
- Holter Monitor is best for short-term monitoring of frequent symptoms.
- MCT is ideal for long term, real-time tracking of sudden, serious heart rhythm issues.
Schedule a Consultation
Have questions about this test? Talk with Dr. Muhammad Chaudhry to find out what’s right for you.
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