What Does a Holter or Event Monitor Show?

A Holter or event monitor may show what’s causing symptoms of an arrhythmia. This is problem with the speed or rhythm of the heartbeat.

Holter and event monitors also can show whether a heart rhythm problem is harmless or whether it needs treatment. Treatment is needed if the problem causes serious symptoms or increases your chance for complications.

Serious symptoms may include dizziness, chest pain, and fainting. Complications may include heart failure, stroke, or sudden cardiac arrest.

If the symptoms of your heart rhythm problem occur often, a Holter or event monitor has a good chance of capturing them. You may not have symptoms while using a monitor. Even so, your doctor may learn more about your heart rhythm from the test results.

Sometimes, these monitors can’t help doctors diagnose heart rhythm problems. If this happens, talk to your doctor about other steps you can take.

One option may be to try a different type of monitor. The wireless Holter monitor and the implantable loop recorder have longer recording periods. This may allow the monitor to get the data that your doctor needs to make a diagnosis.