Event monitor how does it work

Event Monitoring Email. How Does It Work? How Is It Performed? Is It Safe? Questions to Ask Your Doctor About Event Monitoring The following questions can help you talk to your physician about wearing an event monitor.

What information will an event monitor provide about my heart health? What will I need to do to record and transmit data from the event monitor? When do I return the event monitor? Heart News 1 2 3 4 5 Next ». What Causes Atrial Fibrillation? View All News. More HeartSmarts for You This lets them analyze the electrical activity of your heart while you are having symptoms or shortly after. Normally, a special group of cells begin the electrical signal to start your heartbeat.

These cells are in the sinoatrial SA node. This node is in the right atrium, the upper right chamber of the heart. As it travels, the signal triggers nearby parts of the heart to contract.

This helps the heart contract in a coordinated way. ECGs and event monitors are used to help analyze this electrical signal in the heart. These tests help diagnose a variety of abnormal heart rhythms and medical conditions. A standard ECG only records the heart signal for a few seconds, and it's not portable.

An event monitor is similar to a Holter monitor. This is another portable device used to analyze the heart rhythm. Holter monitors record continuously, usually for about 24 to 48 hours. An event monitor doesn't record continuously. Instead, it records only when you activate it. Some event monitors will automatically start recording if an abnormal heart rhythm is detected. Event monitors can be worn for a month or longer.

Symptom event monitor. Memory looping monitor. A monitor does the same thing. But it also records the information from a few minutes before the device was activated. This means that data from before, during and after the symptom will be captured. Sometimes a healthcare provider may think you have an abnormal heart rhythm based on your symptoms and medical history, even if your ECG looks normal. Certain abnormal heart rhythms happen infrequently and temporarily. A random ECG is unlikely to pick up your abnormal heart rhythm if this is the case.

An event monitor may be a better option for you. Wearing the event monitor can help show if you have an abnormal heart rhythm. If you do have an abnormal rhythm, the event monitor can help show what type. You may need to wear an event monitor if your heartbeat is abnormally fast, abnormally slow, or irregular. If you are already being treated for an abnormal heart rhythm, an event monitor may be used to see how well your treatment is working. Some abnormal heart rhythms happen less often and only for a short time.

In this case, an ECG is not likely to pick up the abnormal heart rhythm. An event monitor may be a better option for you.

The event monitor can also help show what type of abnormal rhythm you have. It's best for rhythm abnormalities that happen now and then or that are caused by certain symptoms. You have symptoms, such as palpitations, dizziness, or fainting, or feel your heart is beating too hard or skipping a beat.

Your healthcare provider wants to check how well the treatment for an abnormal heart rhythm is working. You may have to wear a monitor following an ablation or cardioversion to see that your heart is still in a normal rhythm following these types of treatments. You have had an open heart surgery,such as a heart valve replacement or repair or bypass grafting.

The heart muscle can become irritated and more likely to have irregular heart rhythms as you recover at home. Event monitors are generally very safe. In some cases, the sticky patches used to attach the sensors to your chest can cause skin irritation and blistering. Many event monitor companies have alternative electrodes that are better for sensitive skin.

Contact your healthcare provider if you experience skin irritation. Your healthcare provider will show you how to use your event monitor. Different types of event monitors work in different ways. Memory looping monitors have sensors that attach to your chest using sticky patches. Wires connect these sensors to a monitor, which you can usually put on your belt or in your pocket. Before you put your sensors on your chest, your skin should be free of oils, creams, and sweat.

Clean your skin before putting them on. You may need to shave the area before applying. A technician will show you how to place the electrodes or the monitor may be mailed to your home with instructions for self application.

Follow all instructions about exercise. Sweat can make the sensors come off. If you have a cardiac memory looping monitor, change your sensors as instructed. You may need to wear your event monitor for several days or up to a month. You will also need to keep a diary while using your event monitor. Record any symptoms when they happened, and note what you were doing at the time.

When you have a symptom, push the button to start recording.