NV Heart Specialists Testing Hearts

If you've read some of our other articles, you know that sometimes it takes many tests to determine what is ailing a heart. Each test is done individually and has its own specific purpose. Before attempting invasive tests and procedures, our Nevada heart specialists always try to accomplish everything they can with non-invasive studies. One of the most common non-invasive tests is the Holter monitor. This monitoring is used to determine the presence and the severity of abnormalities in the heart's natural rhythm (dysrhythmias or arrhythmias); including those related to palpitations, fainting, or dizziness, which can pose significant problems. The Holter monitor is a special test our NV heart specialists perform that lasts 24 hours or longer, because it is very difficult to obtain significant information about dysrhythmias from the much shorter ECG (electrocardiography) exam. This condition may also only occur during certain times of the day or under certain circumstances, which make the ECG incapable of finding the needed information.

Nevada Heart Specialists: Holter Monitor

If your doctor has deemed it necessary to order a Holter monitor for you, you may be wondering what this test encompasses. The fact that it is 24 hours or longer seems like a long amount of time at first, but the exam isn't that tedious.

First, one of our Nevada heart specialists will place small electrodes at certain different points on your chest, arms, and legs. The electrodes are then connected to a regular ECG machine by leads and the electrical activity of your heart is measured. This test is usually done continuously for 24-48 hours straight, but can also be worn for many days - even a month. Sometimes one of our NV heart specialists will even give you a cardiac event monitor which allows you to turn the monitoring on when you start to feel symptoms of your condition.

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