Holter monitoring

What is Holter monitoring?

Holter monitoring (Holter ECG) is the recording of heart rate at rest and during free activity for 24, 48, 72 or 168 hours, followed by a detailed analysis of the heart rhythm data.

Holter monitoring is recommended for everyone at least once in their lifetime to assess the heart's condition in detail and, if necessary, begin treatment. Holter monitoring is a basic method of heart diagnosis with no contraindications and no adverse effects, making it easily accessible and suitable for all patient categories.

Holter monitoring allows you to assess the patient's cardiac activity in everyday conditions (heart function, physical and emotional stress, heart condition during sleep, heart rhythm and activity throughout the day). With a Holter monitor, the patient can continue their daily life, hardly feeling the device attached to their body. The device weighs approximately 70 grams and measures 7 x 5 cm.

Holter monitoring is performed for both adults and children aged 5 and older.

Holter monitoring is performed:

• For heart rhythm disturbances;
• For chest discomfort or shortness of breath;
• For a periodically rapid pulse;
• For patients with a history of heart disease, elderly patients;
• For complaints of dizziness or fainting.

How is the Holter monitor installed and removed?

No special preparation is required for installing the device. Installation takes about 20 minutes. A specialist will attach the recorder, stick on the electrodes, check the signal quality, and then the patient can return to their normal life.

After 24 or 48 hours (depending on the attending physician's instructions), the patient must return to the medical centre to have the device removed. This process takes no more than 10 minutes.

The FORTEMED medical centre uses premium 12-channel Holter recorders with a high sampling rate, which allow even complex and subtle abnormalities to be detected and cardiac therapy to be initiated promptly, without waiting for the disease to become more severe.

The results of the examination will be posted in the Datamed medical database within 5 days of the device's removal.

Holter monitoring at the FORTEMED centre

The results of Holter monitoring are interpreted by FORTEMED's expert cardiologist, an experienced cardiologist and arrhythmologist, Dr. Dainius Gilis. He is a cardiologist at the Latvian Cardiology Centre of the Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital, a consultant physician at the Latvian Family Hypercholesterolaemia Registry, and a lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Latvia. 

Holter monitoring for children

This examination allows for a detailed assessment of the child's heart rhythm and the functioning of related cardiac systems. Depending on the child's age and body size, a device with 3 or 12 leads is selected in each case to minimise interference with the child's daily activities and achieve the best results.

It is important for parents to prepare their child emotionally for the examination by explaining that electrodes will be attached to their body to record their heart activity for 24 hours. The device is safe, makes no noise, and has no effect on the child's body – it is only designed to record the electrical activity of the heart.

It is important to emphasise that all materials used to install and attach the device are hypoallergenic and do not cause redness or itching. If the child's skin is particularly sensitive, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist, allergist or paediatrician before the procedure.

What to do with the results of Holter monitoring?

Holter monitoring is a method that allows you to track the patient's heartbeat in detail over a certain period of time (24, 48 or even 168 hours). This type of monitoring is especially valuable for detecting heart rhythm disturbances or arrhythmias.

When a patient receives Holter monitoring results, it is important to consult a cardiologist immediately. The specialist will explain the results to the patient. Based on this analysis, the cardiologist will then develop an individual treatment plan for the patient. In some cases, additional tests may be required if serious rhythm disturbances or other heart problems are detected. One such test may be echocardiography, which helps to assess the function and structure of the heart chambers.

It is therefore extremely important that patients pay close attention to Holter monitoring results and actively cooperate with healthcare professionals to ensure their heart health and avoid potential complications in the future.
 

Appointment for Holter monitoring at FORTEMED

By choosing Holter monitoring at the FORTEMED medical centre, patients will receive professional and accurate diagnostics, quick results, and convenient, discreet equipment that will allow them to continue their daily lives. Choose the FORTEMED medical centre and take care of your heart health!

There are two convenient ways to sign up for Holter monitoring:

• Call a FORTEMED consultant, who will be happy to answer your questions and help you choose the most convenient time for your visit. Telephone: 23304440;
• Sign up online by clicking the ‘Make an appointment’ button.