This is a means of recording your heart rhythm over a 24 hour period.  This is done to see what your heart rhythm is while you are undertaking your normal daily activities. The tape needs to be put on whilst you attend an outpatient appointment, then you can go home with this in place. You then return the following day to have this removed and analysed.

HOW IS THIS DONE?

In preparation, three small areas on your chest will be rubbed with an alcohol solution (some gentlemen may need the electrode sites shaved first) then sticky disc type electrodes with wires attached will be applied.  These will connect you to a small  recorder, worn on a cord.

In order to obtain clear recordings you must avoid touching the electrodes and connections with your hands and it would be helpful to wear loose shirts or tops which will comfortably cover the equipment  (ladies should NOT wear 'long line' or 'all in one' under garments).

You should try to follow all your normal daily activities, except showering, bathing or swimming.  You will be provided with a diary to complete with details of events and any symptoms throughout the 24 hour period.  This will aid interpretation of your heart rhythm during the differing circumstances.

The following day it will be necessary to return to the department to have the recorder removed. The data from the tape will then be analysed by a Cardiac Physiologist.

The Physiologist will look for abnormal heart rhythms and also correlate the symptoms that you recorded in your diary with your heart rhythm at that time. Your results will then be sent to either your Cardiologist or General Practitioner.

WHY IS A 24 HOUR HOLTER TAPE USEFUL?

A 24 hour tape can give detailed information about the heart rhythm over a prolonged period. This is useful for evaluating the cause of palpitations, dizzy spells and blackouts. This is an excellent, relatively inexpensive way of non-invasively evaluating the heart rhythm out of hospital.

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