Holter Monitor

What to Expect

What to Do the Night Before
No special preparation, such as fasting or NPO (nothing by mouth) overnight is required.

Diagnostic Tests Before the Procedure
You may have additional tests, such as blood tests (blood count, electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, or calcium, etc.), a stress EKG, a signal-average EKG, or a resting EKG, prior to the Holter monitor procedure.

Who Performs the Procedure
An EKG technician, nurse, or physician will set up the monitoring system. Once the test is completed, an electrophysiologist (a cardiologist who specializes in the heart's electrical conduction system) will interpret the results.

It is important to arrive at your scheduled time. Your procedure may not begin immediately due to varying lengths of procedures scheduled before your procedure. You will be updated as frequently as possible.

Preparing for the Procedure in the Hospital

• Description of IV, site preparations, and medications that may be administered - No intravenous line (IV) or medication is required for a Holter monitor. You will be asked to remove your shirt or blouse in order to attach electrode patches to your chest. If your chest is extremely hairy, small patches may be shaved for electrode placement, as close skin contact is necessary for the most accurate EKG tracing.
  
  
• Consent forms - A consent form is not required, but a physician's order is necessary.
  

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