Patient Information
Know Your Options: Types of Cardiac Monitoring for Patients
If you have a cardiac condition, your doctor may recommend Ambulatory Cardiac Monitoring to better understand your heart’s activity. There are several different types of cardiac monitoring available, and it can be overwhelming to choose the right one. We’ve compiled information about the most common forms of cardiac monitoring below to help you make an informed decision. Although these forms of monitoring may seem similar, they are each designed for specific purposes. Read on to learn about the three most common types of Cardiac Monitoring that your doctor may order.
What is a Holter Monitor?
A Holter Monitor is a small, portable device that records the heart’s electrical activity continuously for 24 to 48 hours. It is worn by a patient during their daily activities to correlate any symptoms or suspected symptoms with the recorded ECG information. A Holter Monitor is a non-invasive diagnostic tool that is most commonly used to diagnose arrhythmias and other heart-related problems.
Key features:
- 24-hour continuous ECG monitoring
- Portable and non-invasive
- Correlates symptoms with ECG data
- Commonly used to diagnose arrhythmias
What is Mobile Cardiac Telemetry Study?
Mobile Cardiac Telemetry (MCT) is a wireless monitoring system that records the heart’s electrical activity in real time. It is a small, wearable device that automatically detects and transmits the ECG information to a call center that is monitored 24 hours a day by certified cardiovascular technicians. MCT is most commonly used to diagnose arrhythmias, syncope, and other heart-related problems that occur infrequently.
Key features:
- Real-time monitoring of ECG
- Wearable and wireless
- Automatic detection and transmission of data
- Monitored 24 hours a day by certified technicians
- Used to diagnose infrequent heart problems
What is a Cardiac Event Monitor Study?
A Cardiac Event Monitor is a small, portable device that records the heart’s electrical activity for a period of up to 30 days. It is worn by a patient to provide the clinician with ECG information for an extended period correlating with symptoms felt by the patient. Cardiac Event Monitors are most commonly used to diagnose arrhythmias, syncope, and other heart-related problems that occur infrequently or intermittently.
Key features:
- Portable and non-invasive
- Records ECG data for up to 30 days
- Correlates symptoms with ECG data
- Used to diagnose infrequent or intermittent heart problems
- Can be worn during normal daily activities
We hope this information helps you better understand the types of Cardiac Monitoring available to you. If you have any questions or concerns, please consult with your healthcare provider.