Holter via general practitioner
I have or will get an ECG recorder connected at the doctor's office
Heart rhythm study
In consultation with your doctor, you have decided to have a heart rhythm study. This test gives your doctor important information about the function of your heart, both at rest and during exercise.
For this examination, the physician's assistant connects an ECG recorder to your body that automatically records your heart rhythm continuously and allows you to indicate any symptoms yourself. The examination is completely painless.
You will also receive a diary. We explain below what an ECG recorder and an ECG is, exactly what the examination involves, and what you can do yourself to make the examination successful.
This examination is reimbursed by all health insurance companies. Like other diagnostic examinations, however, this examination is charged to the legally required deductible.
The study
Once the ECG recorder is connected, you can simply resume your normal activities. You do not need to do anything else except keep the diary given to you by the assistant or practice nurse.
In case of a long-term recording of 1 to 2 weeks, we ask you to mark your symptoms for which you went to the doctor. This means that the moment you experience a complaint, you press the blue button on the ECG recorder as soon as possible. This marks the moment of your complaint in the ECG. If possible, do this every time you have a complaint and immediately write down in your diary: date, time, type of complaint and what you were doing at that moment. The recorder continuously records your heart rhythm. Even if you do not succeed in pressing the button during a complaint, the irregularity will be visible in the ECG.
Why keep a journal?
It is very important for the result that during the examination you also keep the diary that the assistant gave you. Make a precise note of when you do what and when you experience which symptoms, specifying the date and time. This way your doctor, in combination with the results from the ECG, can see if there is a relationship between certain activities and your symptoms.
Returning the ECG recorder
After the examination period, you can remove the electrodes yourself at home. The assistant has told you how to do this. Return the ECG recorder and diary to your doctor on the agreed date and time. Next, we will analyze the ECG. When the results are known, your doctor will contact you to discuss the results and possible next steps.
The preparation
You will make an appointment with the assistant to pick up and connect the ECG recorder. The application takes about 10 minutes and is completely painless. On the day, wear loose-fitting clothing - such as a sweater or a loose T-shirt - that you can easily put on and take off over the electrodes.
Attaching the ECG recorder
When you come to the assistant to have the recorder connected, she will ask you to bare your upper body. This is because the recorder is connected to electrodes that the assistant must stick to your bare chest. For men, it may be necessary to shave off some chest hair. Ladies are advised to wear a bra without underwire to avoid contact with the electrodes. The recorder itself is carried in a special bag. The recorder does not bother you otherwise and you can do what you always do.
Pay extra attention
On the day the recorder is connected, do not use any body lotion, sunscreen or other cream or oily product. Electrodes are stuck to your upper body that record your heart rate. If your skin is "oily" the electrodes will come off and proper recording will not be possible.
Additional electrodes
In addition to the ECG recorder and diary, depending on the recording period, you will be given several sets of electrode patches to take home. You can reattach these to your chest after you wash up.
Ask the assistant if you don't understand or know something
In addition to connecting the ECG recorder, the assistant will explain how the examination will proceed, how to record any symptoms you may have, and when to return the ECG recorder and diary.
The recorder and the ECG
The examination is performed using a small portable, digital ECG recorder that continuously records your heart rhythm. We call this recording of your heartbeat an ECG (electrocardiogram). The ECG gives your doctor a good idea of your heart rhythm over a period of time (1, 2 or 3 days or 1 to 2 weeks). With the results of the examination and the data from the diary you fill out, the doctor can determine if and what follow-up steps are necessary.
Do not shower or bathe with the ECG recorder
You wear the ECG recorder on your body. You should not shower, bathe, swim or go to the sauna with the recorder because it is not waterproof. The cables and electrodes (stickers) attached to your chest must also remain dry. Gently washing your body with a washcloth is allowed, of course. If you were given one or more sets of electrodes by the assistant, you can remove the electrodes and recorder to take a shower. After washing, dry yourself well, do not use any body lotion or other cream/emulsion and stick the new electrodes on your upper body according to the instructions in the diary. Record in the diary that you changed the electrodes after washing. Also record the day and time you did this.
TIP
Before detaching the electrodes, you can mark the location of the electrodes with a ballpoint pen so that you can easily replace them in the same location after showering.
Loosening of electrodes
Be careful not to dislodge the electrodes (stickers). If they do, reapply them according to the instructions in the diary. Note clearly in your diary when and at what time the electrodes were detached and reattached. This is important when evaluating the results from the measurements.
TIP
You can stick a band-aid over the adhesive patch and thereby fix the electrodes extra to the skin.
Leave the ECG recorder closed
Never open the ECG recorder. It easily malfunctions and may damage the device.
Additional information
For questions about (the use) of the ECG recorder and diary, please contact your physician (and assistant).
Still have questions? If so, ask your doctor or the assistant. Even if you have already returned home. For the reliability of the results, it is important that you know how the test is done and what you should and should not do. Many people are nervous when they come for a cardiac rhythm test. This is not at all strange, but it may mean that you do not take everything well or forget something. You can also bring someone with you when the ECG recorder is connected. Two can hear more than one. The information in this leaflet can also help you, but your doctor or the assistant always remain your first point of contact in case of questions or doubts.
Do you have questions that your doctor cannot answer and you cannot find on our website? Then contact the Hartis help desk on 088 - 202 46 46.
Hartis takes great care in handling your medical and personal data. To this end, we are certified according to the international standards for information and data security ISO 27001 and privacy ISO 27701. We are also accredited according to the Dutch standard for data security in healthcare NEN 7510. Should you have further questions about how we handle your data and privacy, please refer to our Privacy Statement.
