21 day monitor

Hi all,

Back in August I had an ablation, for my A-fib. Now my EP, wants to set me up with a monitor that I wear on my belt. If I have any irregularity, I am supposed to press a button, which would set off the recorder in my PM.

Has anyone had this monitor? How comfortable is it to wear?

I have a rather rough and tumble job. So, how sturdy is it?

4 Comments

Holter Monitor

by Pookie - 2010-10-26 12:10:05

I've worn one 3 times. Not uncomfortable at all.

Go into the Member Gallery and at the top, type in my name Pookie, and you will get just the pictures I have posted and there is one there with me wearing the monitor.

I'm assuming you are male - if so, where they place the 2 EKG electrodes (I call them stickies) they will probably have to shave your chest if you happen to be hairy...lol....not your entire chest, just the area where the stickies will be placed.

When you experience something (a feeling in your heart that you want them to know about) that is when you press the button, the Holter Monitor simply takes a reading (an EKG) of what your heart is doing at the time you press the button.

When you return the monitor (usually with 24 to 48 hrs) the doctors can then download that information and be able to see how your heart was beating each time you pressed the button.

If I remember correctly, after each time you press the button, you have to transmit this information to them via your phone which has to be a landline. A cell phone or mobile phone will not work.

The monitor sits in a case (like a cell phone case) that you can attach to your belt. Don't worry, it's not that big, probably no bigger than the palm of your hand.

They will also give you an instruction booklet and they will do a test with you with the monitor before you leave the hospital to make sure you understand how it works. And they give you a phone number if you have any questions.

Hope this helps.

Pookie

21 day monitor

by Quemal - 2010-10-26 12:10:11

Pookie,

Thanks for the insights. My EP told me that the monitor will be shipped to me via UPS. I hope the UPS guy knows how to teach me how to use it...hehe.

I will keep you posted.

one more thing....

by Pookie - 2010-10-26 12:10:50

I did say usually one wears them for 24-48 hrs, but I've worn one for 30 days because they wanted all the information they could get.

All you have to remember is to change the stickies every day and relocated them just a little bit as they have to be within a certain area on your chest.

Hope you're not allergic to the glue....I was.

Pookie

Holter Monitor

by RGS - 2010-10-30 11:10:29

I have to tell you a funny story about when I had to wear a holter monitor for 24 hours. My Dr told me to keep my activity as normal to my regular schedule as possible. I told him I go to the gym every morning, and asked if that would be ok. He said absolutely go and workout but do not get it wet. His nurse hooks me up pasting numerous leads to my chest--I am certain she kept the glue on patches in the freezer WOW were they cold. So the next morning when it gets to changing time in the locker room after my workout, I created quite a stir. I peeled off my workout clothes down to my skivs and headed to the sink to clean up--boy did I get the strangest looks.

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