Preparing for Your Holter Monitor

 

To help ensure your Holter monitor test goes smoothly and produces accurate results, please review the following instructions before and during your recording period.

 

What Is a Holter Monitor?

• A Holter monitor is a small, lightweight, portable device that continuously records your heart’s electrical activity—typically over a 24-hour period.

• Your physician has ordered this test to help evaluate how your heart rhythm behaves during your regular daily activities and routine.

 

How the Test Is Performed

• Small, disposable electrodes will be placed on your chest.

• These electrodes connect to a compact recorder, which is carried in a pouch worn over your shoulder or attached to your belt.

• You will wear the monitor for the full 24-hour period, continuing your usual daily routine.

• When the recording is complete, you will return the monitor and all accessories to the clinic.

 

Before Your Appointment

• Shower in the morning of your appointment. Since the monitor must stay dry once applied, please shower or bathe before the device is attached. 

• Shave or trim chest hair where electrodes will be placed. Hair may interfere with the electrode adhesion; the chest area will be cleaned and may be shaved if needed. 

• Do not apply lotions, oils, talcum powder or other skin products to your chest. These may interfere with the electrode contact. 

• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, preferably a front-buttoning shirt. This allows easy access for placement of the monitor on your chest or waist and makes it easier to manage daily activities. 

• Bring your BC Service Card (Care Card) a current list of your medications. This helps the technologist and physician interpret the monitor data in context.

 

During the Test

• The monitor will be applied to your chest (and sometimes abdomen) via electrodes connected to a small recording device. 

• Once the monitor is applied you must keep it dry. Do not shower, bathe, swim or get the electrodes and monitor wet during the entire monitoring period. 

• Continue with your normal daily activities, unless told otherwise by your doctor. The goal is to capture heart activity during everyday life. 

• Keep a detailed diary/log of your activities and any symptoms (for example palpitations, dizziness, shortness of breath, chest pain) including the time. This gives the cardiologist context when reviewing the recording. 

  • If you have no symptoms, simply note “No symptoms” at the end of the day.

• Be mindful of things that may interfere with the recording: stay away from strong electrical fields, magnets, metal detectors, and keep mobile phones and other strong electronic devices at a safe distance from the monitor. 

• Avoid loosening or peeling off the electrodes.

• Be gentle with the monitor and leads. Avoid pulling, dropping, or bending the device.

• Try to sleep on your back or side opposite the monitor to keep the leads secure overnight.

 

After the Monitoring Period

• Return the monitor and the diary to Richmond Heart Care.  If you are not able to removed this at home and bring it you can come to our office and our office staff will remove this for you. 

• Please bring this back during regular business hours. If your test ends on a weekend, please return the monitor the following Monday. 

• If removing the device at home: Gently peel off the electrodes and tape, and dispose of them. 

• Do not unplug the wires from the recorder — return the entire unit as is.

• Return the monitor, wires, and diary together.

• ⚠️ Please note: If the monitor is dropped off outside of business hours and becomes lost, there will be a replacement cost for the device.

• Skin irritation at the electrode sites is uncommon but possible—if you experience persistent rash, blistering or pigment changes after removal, consult your doctor.

 

Equipment Care

 

The Holter monitor is a precision medical device — please handle it carefully:

• Avoid dropping, bending, or tampering with the unit.

• Keep it away from water, moisture, and direct heat.

• Return it promptly after your test.

• If the device is lost, damaged, or not returned, a replacement fee will apply.

 

Summary Checklist

• Shower/bathe before appointment

• Shave/trim chest hair as needed

• Avoid lotions/oils on chest

• Wear comfortable button-front shirt or loose top

• Bring current medication list

• Do not shower or get monitor wet during recording

• Keep monitor on for full duration

• Maintain activity/symptom diary with times

• Return monitor and diary as instructed