Heart Rhythm Monitoring
Our well-trained cardiologists from Chevy Chase, MD, perform heart rhythm monitoring to detect possible abnormal rhythms of your heart. Diagnostic testing provided by Cardiocare specialists helps determine even rare arrhythmia allowing the doctors prevent any progress of a cardiac disease.
It may be necessary to monitor your heart rhythm for longer than the short time it takes to do an EKG or a stress test. This requires longer term heart rhythm monitoring with either a wearable heart monitor (for example a zio patch or holter monitor) or an implantable loop recorder. Your cardiologist will help determine which is best for you.
Wearable heart monitors can be worn for extended periods (days to weeks) to monitor your heart continuously for arrhythmias. These heart rhythm monitors may be recommended by your cardiologist to help diagnose rare arrhythmias, investigate for the etiology of a stroke, or investigate the cause of dizziness or syncope.
Some monitors, for example the Zio patch and others, are stickers that contain an electrode that sticks to your chest wall and can be worn for up to two weeks to monitor your heart rhythm. A holter monitor is similar to an EKG in that it requires 2-3 EKG leads to be stuck to your chest which attach to wires and a remote monitor which you wear, usually around your waist. A holter monitor is typically used to monitor your heart rhythm for up to 48 hours but can be used for up to 30 days
Wearable heart monitors work by recording abnormal heart rhythms whether or not you feel them. The monitors also allow you to note if you have symptoms so that your cardiologist can correlate your symptoms with your heart rhythm.
Heart monitors are placed by staff in the office.
This depends on the type of monitor you are wearing. Please be sure to discuss this with the cardiac technologist or medical assistant who is placing your monitor.
Yes.
Yes. This may alter that type of body scanner they want you to use at the airport.
Your insurance should cover all or some of the cost of your heart monitor. Please call your insurance company to discuss your specific coverage. If you have further questions please call the office and ask to speak to the billing department.
After the results of your heart monitor are analyzed and received by your cardiologist, he or she will discuss the results with you. Depending on the result, you may need further testing, changes to your medications, or routine follow up.