Cardiovascular system Holter

Holter

The Holter (24-hour outpatient heart monitoring) is an exam that uses a device that stays with the patient, continuously recording an electrocardiogram (record of the heart activity in a video monitor or paper) for 24 hours. Consequently, there is a prolonged record of the electric activity in the heart, which can detect abnormalities that do not appear in a shorter record. The patient writes what he/she was doing in certain time, and such activities or symptoms are correlated to the records by the Holter. For example, it can detect arrhythmias (tachycardias) during exercise or a significant reduction in the heart rate (bradycardia). It serves many times as basis to indicate the implantation of a heart pacemaker.

Support notes

Implantation of heart pacemaker: Procedure where a pacemaker (stimulation system that comprises a generator of electrical pulses and one or two electrodes) is implanted aiming to conduct the electrical stimuli emitted by the generator to the heart.

The heart is responsible for pumping blood to the whole body. This is necessary for all bodies and tissues to be supplied with the oxygen they need to function. In order to be pumped, the heart depends on electrical impulses, which are coursed from the atria to the ventricles.

The modern pacemakers only begin to work when needed, when they feel that the heart has activity, staying in support, ready to go into action. Some have also sensors that identify times when there is need for a higher rate (for example, exercise) and enable a heart acceleration, similar to the normal heart.

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