Arrhythmia monitoring systems including Holter monitors are utilized for cardiac evaluation of palpitations, dizziness, or fainting episodes. These recordings help rule out heart rhythm abnormalities as a cause for symptoms.
A Holter monitor may be used to capture information and check an individual's heart rhythm if results of other tests, such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), have been inconclusive. Because patients are only hooked up to an EKG machine for a short time, it may not detect any irregularities in the heart rhythm. If symptoms suggest that an individual may be experiencing an irregular heart rhythm, a doctor may recommend wearing a Holter monitor for one to two days. Over that time, the Holter monitor may be able to detect irregularities in the heart rhythm that an electrocardiogram was unable to detect.
Patients are given a log and asked to record any symptoms they have alongwith the activity they were performing at the time of the symptom. This information can be linked to the result of the holter monitor and is extremely helpful to the physician in identifying the cause of the problem.