Arrhythmia Monitoring Performed at Mercy in Baltimore

Arrhythmias are abnormal changes in heartbeats. Heart rhythm problems include heartbeats that are too fast, too slow, have an irregular pattern or are not efficient in moving blood through the heart, lungs and body.

Arrhythmia monitoring uses a number of techniques to accurately diagnose the exact type and degree of seriousness of an arrhythmia.

• Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG): A test that measures and records the electrical activity of the heart when pumping and while resting between beats. This brief, painless test can be done in the doctor’s office or during an outpatient hospital visit.
• Stress Test: uses EKG technology to show heart action while walking on a treadmill or riding a stationary bicycle. It is performed in an outpatient hospital visit.
• Holter Monitor: a test that uses a portable EKG device that can be worn at home. It creates a continuous record of heart action during everyday activities.
• Event Monitor: similar to the Holter monitor. Instead of recording continuously, the event monitor records heart activity only when the person wearing it senses an abnormal heart rhythm, and pushes a button on the monitor.

For an EKG you will be asked to lie on your back on an examining table. Small, sticky patches (wire electrodes) will be placed on your chest, arms and legs. While you lie quietly the EKG machine will record your heart’s activity on a paper strip as a series of wavy lines.

For a stress test the procedure will be the same, but you will be asked to walk on a treadmill or ride a stationary bike for several minutes.

You will come to the doctor’s office or an outpatient part of the hospital to prepare for a Holter or Event monitor test, but the test will take place at home over 1 or 2 days. Several wire electrodes will be applied to the chest area. The thin, flexible wires will be attached to a small monitor that can be clipped to a belt or waistband, or placed in a pocket.

You will be asked to keep a record of your activities during the test period so that the doctor can match up your activities with the recorded test results. At the end of the test period, you will return the monitor to the doctor’s office for analysis.