Holter Monitor

A Holter Monitor is a portable version of an Electrocardiogram (ECG) that continuously records the electrical activity of the heart over an extended period—typically 24 to 48 hours. Unlike a standard ECG, which only captures a few minutes of heart activity, a Holter Monitor provides a detailed, real-world assessment of how the heart functions during normal daily activities.

This test is non-invasive, safe, and painless. Small adhesive electrodes are placed on the chest and connected to a compact recording device worn on the body. The monitor continuously records heart rhythms, allowing clinicians to detect irregularities that may not appear during a short in-clinic test.

Holter monitoring is particularly valuable when symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, or fainting occur intermittently and are difficult to capture during a standard ECG.

Who is suitable for a Holter Monitor?

A Holter Monitor may be recommended for individuals of all ages—including children—who require extended monitoring of heart rhythm.

Common indications include:

Unexplained symptoms: Dizziness, fainting (syncope), palpitations, or irregular heartbeat sensations
Chest discomfort: Particularly when routine ECG results are normal
Known heart conditions: Monitoring conditions such as arrhythmias or congenital heart disease
Post-treatment assessment: Evaluating the effectiveness of medications or pacemakers
Risk factors for heart disease: Including high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, or a family history of cardiac conditions

In paediatric patients, Holter monitoring is especially useful for detecting intermittent rhythm abnormalities and assessing heart function during activities such as play and sleep.

Benefits of a Holter Monitor

Holter monitoring offers several important clinical and patient benefits:

Continuous monitoring: Captures heart rhythm over 24–48 hours
Detects intermittent arrhythmias: Identifies irregular heart rhythms that may not appear during a standard ECG
Real-life assessment: Records heart activity during everyday activities, sleep, and mild stress
Treatment monitoring: Evaluates how medications or implanted devices (e.g., pacemakers) are working
Improved diagnostic accuracy: Helps correlate symptoms with heart rhythm changes
Non-invasive and safe: No needles, radiation, or recovery time required

For children and adults alike, this test provides valuable insights into how the heart behaves outside of a clinical environment.

Types of Holter Monitoring we provide

At Broken Hill Radiology, we offer the standard Holter monitoring, which records your cardiac activity continuously for 24–48 hours.

These options allow clinicians to tailor monitoring to the frequency of symptom occurrence and the level of detail required.

Preparation for Holter Monitor Use

On the day of the test, we recommend the following:

Please shower before you arrive but avoid wearing talc, body lotion or neck chains. This may interfere with the adhesive electrodes.
ECG patterns and some of the body’s responses to exercise can be affected by various medications, so please bring a complete list of your medications to your appointment.

What to wear for the Holter Monitor

To reduce the risk of dislodging the monitor leads and/or electrodes, we suggest you wear comfortable, loose clothing.

Ideally, a two-piece outfit, as the Holter monitor is fitted on your chest below the collarbone and to the abdomen, on the left side.

Women are asked to either wear no bra or wear their most comfortable one.

Holter Monitor Test Connections

Patients are prepared for the test by having:

Electrode sites on the chest are thoroughly cleansed with alcohol wipes
Some men require a small amount of shaving to ensure good electrical contact between the electrode and skin, which can be hampered by bodily movement during the test
Adhesive electrodes are then attached to the chest
The electrodes are connected to leads
The leads provide the signals for the ECG to record
These leads are connected to a light, discreet monitor
You will be shown how to reattach electrodes and/or leads if they come loose

What happens during the Holter Monitor period?

The monitor will beep when the technician connects it to the patient.

You can continue your normal daily activities while wearing the monitor (except for bathing/swimming).

You may or may not hear this beep, depending on the surrounding noise level of where you are. Do not be concerned if you hear it or don’t hear it.

The monitor has a green light that flashes at fairly random intervals throughout the monitoring period. It does not represent your heart’s rhythm.

Patients often first notice it flashing at night as they prepare for bed. Don’t be concerned - this is normal.

If you have any difficulties with the equipment, please notify the office.
If you experience any symptoms (even if they are brief or slight), you should make a note of them and the time in the special diary given to you.

When wearing the Holter Monitor

Do not tamper with the leads or device, as this may erase data from the device.
Do not bathe/swim with the monitor on; you can shower with our monitors.
Do not sleep on an electric blanket that is switched on. This will interfere with the recording. If desired, you may turn on an electric blanket to warm up the bed before getting in, as long as you turn it off before you get in.
Do not use any device that puts an electrical current through your body during the monitoring period, as this may erase data. This includes devices such as a TENS or Interferential machine, or a “Circulation Booster”.

What to expect when booking a Holter Monitor Test

Depending on the type of test you require, you may need to attend for 2 consecutive days.

Patients must return at the same time the next day (for 24-hour tests), or at the same time two days later for 48-hour Holter tests.

Please confirm the time with the technician (if you are unsure).

Day One - This is when the Holter Monitor is applied. This usually takes 20 minutes.
Day Two (for 24-hr Holter monitor tests) - The next day, patients return to have the Holter Monitor removed.
Day Three (for 48-hr Holter monitor tests) - Two days later, the patient will return to have the Holter Monitor removed.

What to Expect After a Holter Monitor Test

Once the monitoring period is complete:

Device removal: You will return to the clinic to have the electrodes and monitor removed. This only takes about 10 minutes.
Data analysis: A cardiologist reviews the recorded heart rhythms
Results timeline: Results are typically available within a few business days
Follow-up: Please book a follow-up appointment with your doctor, who will discuss the findings and any required next steps.

There is no recovery time, and you can resume normal activities immediately after removal.

Holter Monitor Prognosis

Holter monitoring plays a key role in diagnosing and managing heart rhythm disorders. It helps:

Identify arrhythmias early
Guide treatment decisions
Monitor disease progression
Evaluate treatment effectiveness

In many cases, the results provide reassurance when no significant abnormalities are found. In others, they allow for early intervention and improved long-term outcomes.

Holter Monitor Risks

Holter monitoring is extremely safe, with minimal risks:

Skin irritation: Mild redness or irritation from adhesive electrodes
Discomfort: Slight inconvenience from wearing the device
Activity limitations: Temporary restrictions, i.e. avoiding submerging the device in water while wearing

There are no electrical risks, and the device does not interfere with heart function.

At Broken Hill Radiology, we offer Medicare Bulk billing to eligible patients. Speak to our friendly staff or your referring cardiologist or GP to find out if you are eligible for Medicare bulk billing and what fees may apply.

What is a Holter Monitor?