KNOW MORE ABOUT HEART MONITORING
Providing information about your heart to your doctor
WHY MONITOR YOUR HEART?
Cardiac Monitoring to Support a Diagnosis
Your doctor may suspect that health concerns, such as unexplained fainting or an unexplained stroke, may be related to your heart. Cardiac monitoring is used to either identify or rule out a heart rhythm disorder and to determine the right course of treatment. Your doctor may recommend continuous heart monitoring to assist in diagnosis of health conditions, including:
Cardiac Monitoring for Condition Management
Atrial fibrillation (or AFib) is a common condition in which the upper chambers of the heart beat very fast and irregularly. If you have AFib, or your doctor suspects that you do, cardiac monitoring may be recommended to determine how often and how long it occurs. In some cases, your doctor may want to monitor how effective different treatments are at keeping your AFib under control.
WHICH TYPE OF HEART MONITORING SYSTEM IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Types of cardiac monitoring vary in terms of how long they can be used and how information is captured. Common types of cardiac monitoring systems include:
Holter Monitor
A portable external monitor that includes wires with patches that attach to the skin. It continuously measures and records the heart’s activity for 1-2 days.
Event Recorder
A recorder worn on the body for up to 30 days. It typically requires activation by pushing a button to record the heart’s activity.
Mobile Cardiac Telemetry (MCT)
A wearable monitor that automatically detects, records, and transmits abnormal heart rhythms for up to 30 days.
Insertable Cardiac Monitor (ICM)
An insertable monitor placed just under the skin that automatically detects and records abnormal heart rhythms for up to 5 years.
READY TO TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT HEART MONITORING?
If you’re wondering about how advanced continuous heart monitoring might help guide your health care decisions, it’s time to talk to your doctor. Here are some questions you might ask:
- Would continuous, longer-term heart monitoring provide additional information about my health condition?
- Would the information from continuous heart monitoring help pinpoint a diagnosis for my condition?
- How long should I be monitored to get the best information about my condition?
- Which system would fit my lifestyle and/or condition?
- How might these monitoring options affect my regular activities, such as working, being active, or caring for my children or grandchildren?
- How often do I need to come in for an office visit while I’m being monitored?
- Is there anything else I can do to protect myself or get more information about my condition?
You may want to save or print these questions and take them with you to your next doctor’s appointment.