Event Monitoring Specialist

Pinnacle Healthcare System

Cardiology & Internal Medicine & Nephrology located in Hollywood, FL & Pembroke Pines, FL

Event monitoring creates a record of your heartbeat as you go about your normal activities. This important diagnostic test allows the Pinnacle Healthcare System team to determine the cause of heart-related issues such as a rapid or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain, and shortness of breath. If you develop symptoms or have questions about event monitoring, call one of the offices in Hollywood or Pembroke Pines, Florida, or schedule an appointment online today.

Event Monitoring Q & A

What is event monitoring?

Event monitoring refers to wearing a small device that records your heart’s electrical activity throughout the day. It allows your provider to diagnose an irregular, slow, or fast heartbeat.

How does event monitoring work?

Event monitors work just like an electroencephalogram (ECG). The monitor uses sensors (electrodes) attached to your skin to pick up and record your heart’s electrical activity. Your provider at Pinnacle Healthcare System may ask you to use an event monitor for up to a month.

Some devices consist of a recorder that connects to electrodes using wires. Other monitors don’t need wires or a separate device. Instead, one patch contains the sensor and recorder, and you only need to wear the patch on your chest.

What are the two types of event monitors?

When you have an event monitor, you turn on the device whenever you detect symptoms. After documenting a heart event, you send the information to Pinnacle Healthcare System either wirelessly or over the phone, depending on the device.

The two primary types of event monitors include:

Looping memory monitor

When you experience symptoms, you activate the device by pushing a button. It then creates a record of your heartbeat before, during, and after your symptoms.

Symptom event monitor

After you activate the system, it stores your ECG. Unlike the looping monitor, this device does not collect information before and after the event.

What is a Holter monitor?

A Holter monitor continuously records your heart rate for as long as you wear the monitor. In most cases, you need to wear it for 24-48 hours.

Your provider attaches the electrodes to your chest and then connects them to the monitor. You carry the monitor in a pocket or pouch or wear it around your waist or neck.

During your testing, you also need to keep a diary of your activities and symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or an irregular heartbeat.

While wearing a Holter monitor, you can keep up with many of your usual activities. However, you can’t bathe, shower, swim, have X-rays, or get near metal detectors or high-voltage areas.

If you develop heart-related symptoms, call Pinnacle Healthcare System or schedule an appointment online today.

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