Medical abbreviation:
None
Type:
Electrophysiology
Definition:
The Holter tape, also referred to as a 24 hour tape or ambulatory ECG monitoring, involves wearing a small device attached via a belt and monitoring electrodes placed on the chest. The device constantly records the heart rhythm for a 24 hour period. As the test is portable, the patient can usually resume normal daily activities, except bathing. The patient is usually asked to keep an event diary also, which is handed back with the tape. The tape is analysed by a cardiac physiologist and results forwarded to your cardiologist and family doctor.
When would I need this test?
The test is used to investigate recurrent blackout, collapses and palpitations. The test aims to catch any disturbance in cardiac rhythm which may explain these occurrences. The test is usually recommended where symptoms occur frequently and therefore are likely to be captured in a 24 hour period. For less frequent events cardiac event recorders or implantable loop recorders are used.
