Holter

Holter

Holter: everything you need to know about the test

Holter monitoring is a test used to detect heart problems. Keep reading this article and get your questions answered.

What is a holter?

The 24-hour holter test is widely used to continuously analyze the patient’s heartbeat over the course of an entire day. In summary, the holter is an electrocardiogram that is performed continuously and therefore provides important and complex data on the functioning of the heart and can detect arrhythmias, tachycardias, bradycardias and other heart rhythm problems.

What sets the 24-hour Holter apart is its ability to record the heart’s electrical activity throughout the day and night, while the patient is carrying out their normal activities – such as walking, sleeping, working or climbing stairs. This continuous recording is essential for picking up alterations that don’t appear in traditional short-term tests.

What’s more, thanks to technological advances, this test can now be used to assess the patient’s heartbeat in real time and remotely. There are modern, compact models that store the data in the cloud, allowing the doctor quick and secure access to the information collected.

During the test, the patient wears a small device strapped to their body, with electrodes attached to the chest. They are instructed to keep a diary of their activities and symptoms to correlate with the heart rate recordings, which helps the doctor interpret the data.

It’s important to follow the doctor’s instructions correctly. Many people have doubts about what they can’t do during a Holter test. Among the main precautions are:

• Do not get the appliance wet (baths are not allowed).
• Avoid using industrial appliances or environments with a strong magnetic field.
• Keep the equipment tight to your body, without pulling on any wires.
• Record symptoms and times accurately in the diary provided.

Do you need a holter test in São Paulo with experienced cardiologists? Make an appointment by calling +55 11 3289-3195 or at emfoco.med.br

Who should have a Holter test?

The holter test is indicated for different patient profiles who need to investigate intermittent or silent cardiac symptoms. With it, it is possible to record the functioning of the heart for 24 hours (or more), providing the cardiologist with valuable data.

See who can benefit:

• Elderly people with a history of heart disease: Holter monitoring helps to identify arrhythmias and alterations that do not appear in conventional tests.
• Athletes with palpitations during training: the test monitors the electrical activity of the heart under physical exertion.
• Patients with hypertension, diabetes or autoimmune diseases: the holter helps monitor these conditions that affect the cardiovascular system.
• Climacteric women: hormonal changes can cause atypical cardiac symptoms, which need to be investigated.
• People with a family history of arrhythmia or sudden death: Holter monitoring can detect early warning signs.
• Patients with alterations in previous tests: even if they are asymptomatic, follow-up is essential.

Take your Holter test safely at Instituto Medicina em Foco, located at Rua Frei Caneca, 1380 – Consolação – São Paulo (SP). Call: +55 11 3289-3195.

Holter test indications

The 24-hour Holter test is indicated when the patient has intermittent symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, fainting, chest pain or shortness of breath.

As the device records heartbeats continuously for an entire day, it is able to detect changes that a simple electrocardiogram would not be able to identify.

Among the main indications for the Holter test are:

• Assessment of cardiac arrhythmias (tachycardia or bradycardia).
• Investigation of unexplained palpitations or syncope.
• Monitoring the effect of heart medication.
• Monitoring after pacemaker placement.
• Evaluation of alterations detected in previous tests, such as the ECG.

It is a fundamental test in cardiology practice, as it allows us to understand the heart’s behavior in everyday activities – such as sleep, exercise and moments of stress.

Do you have heart symptoms? Schedule your Holter test with a Cardiologist in São Paulo (SP) by calling +55 11 3289-3195.

What does the test evaluate and what can it detect?

As previously mentioned, the test assesses variations in heart rhythm which can be indicative of heart disease. It can also assess paroxysmal symptoms, which are symptoms that start suddenly and last only a few seconds.

Holter monitoring is usually indicated mainly for the investigation of cardiac arrhythmia, which is a disease characterized by irregular heartbeats, causing symptoms such as tiredness, feeling unwell and shortness of breath.

Unlike a conventional electrocardiogram, the 24-hour Holter test continuously records the heartbeat throughout the day and night, increasing the chance of detecting changes that occur sporadically.

Disease detection

In addition to these conditions, the holter can be used for:

• Evaluate the effectiveness of antiarrhythmic drugs or beta-blockers.
• Monitoring pacemaker function.
• Check whether symptoms reported by the patient – such as nocturnal palpitations, anxiety or chest pain – are associated with changes in heart rhythm.

Another important difference is that the Holter test can record the heart’s behavior during different activities: rest, walking, sleep, emotional stress, meals, etc.

For this reason, it offers the cardiologist a broad view of the functioning of the heart’s electrical system in the context of the patient’s routine.

Do you need to investigate symptoms such as palpitations or unexplained tiredness? Schedule your 24-hour Holter test at Instituto Medicina em Foco. In-person service in São Paulo (SP): +55 11 3289-3195.

How is the holter test done?

Holter monitoring is a completely painless test carried out using a small electronic receiver that records information about the patient’s heartbeat over a 24-hour period.

This device, attached to electrodes that are fixed to the patient’s chest, can be carried in the patient’s pockets, attached to the waist or other items of clothing. In this way, the patient should follow their normal routine, but note down relevant activities and the times at which they occurred. Some relevant information is

• Meal times.
• Time for bed.
• Moments of physical effort.
• If there was a peak of stress.
• Time when symptoms were noticed, etc.

Finally, after 24 hours have passed, the patient must return to the clinic to have the device removed.

These notes help the cardiologist to cross-check the data captured by the device with the moments experienced by the patient, which makes the holter test even more accurate.

That’s why it’s essential that patients collaborate with this diary and hand it in when they return to the clinic.

Finally, after 24 hours have passed, the patient must return to the clinic to have the device removed.

While wearing the equipment, patients should not shower, as the device is not waterproof. It is also advisable to avoid activities that cause excessive sweating or sudden movements that could loosen the electrodes.

The question “what can’t you do?” is a common one. Here are some important restrictions:

• Do not shower while using the appliance.
• Do not use electronic devices in close proximity to the recorder, such as microwaves and high-magnetism cell phones.
• Do not do intense exercise without medical authorization.
• Avoid loosening the electrodes or trying to tamper with the device.

Do you have any doubts about how the Holter test is done? Talk to the team at Instituto Medicina em Foco and schedule your appointment in São Paulo (SP): +55 11 3289-3195.

Preparing for the exam

Before taking the test, some precautions are necessary. See below.

These precautions are important because the use of substances on the skin can make it difficult to attach the electrodes, interfering with the quality of the signal picked up by the holter device.

Bathing beforehand is essential, because during monitoring – which can last 24 hours or more, depending on medical advice – it is not permitted to bathe, as the equipment is not water-resistant.

In addition, other precautions must be taken when performing the holter. Find out more about them below.

• Avoid high-impact activities: intense physical exercise can dislodge the electrodes or damage the equipment.
• Keep wires organized and protected under clothing to avoid accidental pulling.
• Wear light, comfortable clothing, preferably button-down shirts, to make it easier to put on and take off the device.
• Sleep with the device in the most comfortable position possible, without compressing the recorder.
• Avoid intense magnetic fields, such as resonances, industrial microwave ovens or high-voltage equipment close to the body.

These guidelines help to ensure that the holter test collects data as accurately as possible, giving the cardiologist a complete reading of your cardiac activity throughout the day – including during sleep, which is an important stage of the analysis.

Questions about preparing for the Holter test? Contact Instituto Medicina em Foco and schedule your appointment with a cardiologist in São Paulo (SP): +55 11 3289-3195.

Holter test: what not to do

The test has absolutely no contraindications. It is also a completely painless test with no side effects. Household appliances or cell phones do not interfere with the holter and can be used normally.

However, follow your doctor’s instructions and take some precautions when performing the 24-hour Holter:

• Do not get the appliance wet.
• Do not use magnetic mattresses.
• Don’t do high-impact physical exercise.
• Do not consume alcohol or caffeine during the test.
• Do not remove the electrodes.

For everything to go smoothly during the exam, it’s important to talk to your doctor and clear up any doubts beforehand.

How to evaluate the holter results?

After the 24-hour Holter test is completed, the device is removed and the stored data is analyzed by a specialist cardiologist.

The test report shows all the variations in heart rate throughout the day, episodes of arrhythmia, pauses or changes in the beats.

During the analysis, the doctor evaluates:

• Minimum, maximum and average heart rate.
• Episodes of tachycardia (rapid heartbeat) or bradycardia (slow heartbeat).
• Heart rhythm irregularities (extrasystoles, atrial fibrillation, etc.).
• Symptoms reported by the patient in the diary (such as dizziness or chest pain) in relation to the recorded tracing.

It’s important to note that the results of a Holter test should always be interpreted in conjunction with the patient’s clinical history and symptoms. A normal tracing does not completely exclude the presence of disease, but it is an excellent indication of good heart function.

It will probably be necessary to consult the doctor in charge, as the result can be complex for laypeople.

However, in a normal result, the beats range from 60 to 100 per minute, but the doctor will also consider the duration and quality of the electrical waves, the patient’s specifics, medical and family history, symptoms, etc.

Do you want to have your exam with experienced specialists? Call Instituto Medicina em Foco: +55 11 3289-3195.

How to interpret the holter test report?

Receiving the results of a medical test can cause anxiety. But in the case of the holter, understanding the report is an important step towards taking care of your heart more consciously.

The holter report shows everything your heart “said” over 24 hours. It records the smallest details of the heart’s electrical activity – including those that go unnoticed in short-term tests.

Some terms that may appear:

• Extrasystoles: beats out of rhythm, as if the heart “skipped a beat”.
• Sinus pauses: brief interruptions in the natural command of the beat.
• Atrial fibrillation: an irregular rhythm that can increase the risk of stroke.
• Heart rate variability: normal (or not) fluctuations in the rhythm of the beats throughout the day.

Even if the report seems too technical, don’t worry. At Instituto Medicina em Foco, your test will be assessed by experienced cardiologists who will calmly explain each item, relating the data to your symptoms, lifestyle and family history.

You will be listened to, understood and guided with empathy.

Schedule your Holter test with humanized interpretation and welcoming service: +55 11 3289-3195.

48h and 72h Holter: when are they indicated?

In some cases, 24-hour monitoring may not be enough to capture cardiac changes. In these situations, the cardiologist may recommend a 48-hour or 72-hour holter.

This type of test is indicated for

• Rare symptoms that don’t happen every day.
• Intermittent arrhythmias that are difficult to detect.
• More detailed assessment of response to medication or pacemaker.

Consult a cardiologist in São Paulo and find out if the extended holter is right for you: +55 11 3289-3195.

Difference between holter and MAP

Although both tests use portable devices and are used for 24-hour monitoring, there is a fundamental difference between the Holter and the ABPM:

• 24-hour Holter monitoring: exclusively monitors the heart’s electrical activity, detecting changes in heart rhythm. It is mainly indicated for investigating arrhythmias and symptoms such as palpitation, fainting or chest pain.
• ABPM (Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring): assesses variations in blood pressure throughout the day and night. It is used to diagnose hypertension, check the effectiveness of treatment and identify situations such as “white coat hypertension”.

Many patients undergo the two tests in addition to each other, especially when there are doubts about the origin of the symptoms – whether they are related to heart rhythm or high blood pressure.

Do you need a holter or ABPM in São Paulo (SP)? Instituto Medicina em Foco is ready to assist you.

How much does the 24-hour Holter test cost?

The value of the 24-hour holter test can vary depending on the clinic, the type of equipment used, the qualification of the cardiologist and the service structure.

In São Paulo (SP), the price is usually between R$250 and R$700. At the Instituto Medicina em Foco, in addition to fair prices, you can count on complete care and the possibility of having the consultation with the cardiologist and the test on the same day and at the same place.

Schedule your appointment + exam with ease at Instituto Medicina em Foco.

Book a 24h holter in São Paulo

If you are looking for quality cardiology care with trained professionals, you need to book your appointment and tests at the Instituto Medicina em Foco.

The clinic is located at Rua Frei Caneca, 1380, Consolação – São Paulo – SP – CEP 01307-000, in one of the most accessible areas of the city. With a modern structure and specialized staff, the Institute performs the Holter test 24 hours a day with comfort, precision and complete follow-up.

The patient is guided from the appointment to the delivery of the results, with the support of an experienced cardiologist who will explain all the details about the holter, how it is done, what precautions to follow and how to interpret the results.

The Institute also offers the option of a face-to-face or online consultation, making it easier to monitor your cardiovascular health quickly and efficiently. Whether to investigate arrhythmias, intermittent cardiac symptoms or as part of a complete check-up, the 24-hour Holter is an essential test.

Advantages of taking the exam at Instituto Medicina em Foco:

• Fast scheduling and humanized service.
• A team of cardiologists experienced in 24-hour Holter testing.
• Modern, disposable equipment to ensure safety and hygiene.
• Results with an expert report in a short time.
• Cardiology consultation options in São Paulo (SP) with a focus on accurate diagnosis.

Ask all your questions today, find a specialized professional and get quality medical care in São Paulo.

Book your appointment or exam now on the Instituto Medicina em Foco website. If you prefer, contact us by phone or WhatsApp: (11) 3289-3195.