Heart disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. It can affect people of all ages, and any symptom or sign should not be ignored. If you suspect something is wrong with your heart, it is always better to get it checked at the earliest.
Several tests can measure the health of your heart. Among these, a heart monitoring test has the highest potential to save lives.
What is heart monitoring?
Heart monitoring is a non-invasive test, which records the electrical activity of the heart over time. It can be done using a portable device that continuously records the heart’s activity over several days or weeks.
The device can either be worn like a watch or attached to the chest. There are several types of heart monitoring tests, each with its purpose and method. The most popular ones are Holter Monitoring, Event monitoring, and Loop recorder.
Holter Monitoring
A Holter monitor is a portable device that records the heartbeat continuously for 24 to 48 hours. It is a small device that has several electrodes that are attached to the chest using sticky patches.
These electrodes detect the heart’s electrical activity, and the signal is sent to the device, where it is recorded for analysis. The device is worn around the waist or over the shoulder and is connected to the electrodes with wires.
A Holter monitor is used to diagnose arrhythmias, tachycardia, and bradycardia. It is also used to evaluate the effectiveness of medication and changes made to lifestyle in treating heart conditions.
Event Monitoring
An Event monitor is a portable device that is worn for several weeks and records the heart’s electrical activity when an event or symptom is felt.
The device is connected to the chest using sticky pads, and it records the signal when a button is pressed. The recorded signal is then sent to the healthcare professional for analysis.
Event monitoring is used to diagnose arrhythmias that occur intermittently, which may not be captured in the Holter monitoring. It is also an effective method to detect silent atrial fibrillation, which is associated with an increased risk of stroke.
Loop Recorder
A Loop recorder is a tiny implantable device that is placed under the skin on the chest. It records the heartbeat continuously for up to three years.
The device is activated when a symptom or event is felt, and it records the heart’s activity for analysis. The recorded signal is transmitted to the healthcare professional using a smartphone or home transmitter device.
A Loop recorder is used to diagnose unexplained fainting, arrhythmias, and palpitations in people with a low likelihood of experiencing these symptoms during an in-office visit.
What can heart monitoring tests detect?
Heart monitoring tests can detect several heart conditions that may otherwise go unnoticed. They can detect arrhythmias, tachycardia, bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, and other heart rhythm disturbances.
These tests can also evaluate the effectiveness of medication and changes made in lifestyle to treat heart conditions.
Who should go for heart monitoring?
Heart monitoring is recommended for people who have symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, fainting, chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue.
The test can also be used to monitor people who have an increased risk of heart disease, such as those with high blood pressure, diabetes, and a family history of heart disease. Heart monitoring tests can also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of medication and changes made in lifestyle to treat heart conditions.
Conclusion
Heart monitoring tests are the most effective way to detect heart conditions that may go unnoticed. They are non-invasive, easy to perform, and can be done without interrupting the daily routine.
If you or a loved one have symptoms or signs of heart disease, talk to your healthcare professional about getting a heart monitoring test today. It may save your life.