Patient Information

A Holter monitor is a small, portable device that continuously records your heart's electrical activity over a 24-hour period. This allows your healthcare provider to assess your heart rhythm during everyday activities and identify irregularities that may not appear on a standard electrocardiogram (ECG).

• Shower or bathe before your appointment. You will not be able to shower, bathe, or swim while wearing the monitor, as the equipment must remain dry.
• Avoid applying lotions, creams, oils, or powders to your chest. These products may prevent the electrodes from adhering properly.
• Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing. A two-piece outfit or button-up shirt is recommended.
• Take your medications as usual, unless your healthcare provider has instructed otherwise.
• Inform the technologist if you have any allergies or sensitivities to medical adhesives.

A cardiology technologist will prepare small areas of your chest and attach adhesive electrodes connected to a portable recording device. Some chest hair may need to be removed to ensure the electrodes adhere properly.

The monitor will continuously record your heart rhythm for 24 hours while you go about your normal daily activities.

You will also be given a symptom diary to record any symptoms you experience during the monitoring period, such as palpitations, dizziness, chest discomfort, or shortness of breath. Please record the time, a brief description of each symptom, and what you were doing at the time, to help your physician correlate your symptoms with your heart rhythm.

• Continue your usual daily activities unless instructed otherwise.
• Keep the monitor and electrodes dry.
• Do not disconnect or remove the equipment before your recording is complete.
• Record any symptoms and the time they occur in your symptom diary.

After completing your 24-hour recording, you may carefully remove the monitor and electrodes at home, following the instructions provided by your technologist.

Please return your Holter monitor and symptom diary before 11:00 AM the following day.

For your convenience, the equipment can be returned through the designated return slot in the clinic door. You do not need to check in with reception when returning your monitor through the slot.

Timely returns are important to ensure the equipment is available for other patients.

An Exercise Tolerance Test (ETT), also known as an exercise stress test, evaluates how your heart responds to physical activity.

During the test, your heart rate, heart rhythm, and blood pressure are monitored while you walk on a treadmill that gradually increases in speed and incline.

This test helps your physician assess your heart's response to exercise and investigate certain cardiovascular symptoms.

• Eat and drink as normal. There is no need to fast before your appointment.
• Wear comfortable clothing and supportive walking or running shoes. Athletic clothing and running shoes are recommended.
• Beta-blocker medications: Patients taking beta blockers are generally instructed to withhold them for 24 hours before the test, unless otherwise advised by their physician. Please confirm that this instruction applies to you before withholding any prescribed medication.
• Continue your other medications as prescribed, unless your healthcare provider has instructed otherwise.
• Bring a current medication list, including prescription medications and supplements.
• Inform the clinic ahead of time if you have mobility limitations or medical concerns that may affect your ability to walk safely on a treadmill.

Before the test begins, a cardiology technologist will explain the procedure and prepare you for monitoring.

Adhesive electrodes will be placed on your chest to record your heart's electrical activity, and a blood pressure cuff will be applied to your arm.

You will begin walking slowly on a treadmill. The speed and incline will gradually increase to raise your heart rate and assess how your heart responds to physical exertion.

Throughout the test, your heart rhythm and blood pressure will be monitored closely. The test may be stopped if you develop concerning symptoms, reach the required level of exertion, or your healthcare team determines that it should end.

Once the exercise portion is complete, you will continue to be monitored during a recovery period while your heart rate and blood pressure return toward their resting levels.

Most patients can resume their usual activities afterward unless advised otherwise.

Your test results will be reviewed by a physician and forwarded to your referring healthcare provider.