A Holter monitor is a small machine that records your child's heartbeat for a 24-hour period. This information explains what to do while your child is wearing a Holter monitor.
Key points
A Holter monitor is a small machine that records your child's heartbeat for 24 or 48 hours (one or two days).
While they are wearing the monitor, your child should do what they normally do. They should not swim, bathe or shower.
If your child has symptoms or takes medicine while wearing the monitor, push the event button and make a note in the diary.
Bring or send the monitor and the diary back within seven days.
Introduction
What is a Holter monitor?
A Holter monitor is a small machine that records your child's heartbeat. It is like an electrocardiogram (ECG), which records the electrical activity of your child's heart. A Holter monitor does this for 24 or 48 hours (one or two days). It has an event button that you can push when your child is having symptoms.
Test
Putting on the Holter monitor
First, a technician will clean places on your child's chest with alcohol. This helps to make sure the recording is clear. Then the technician will put five stickers called electrodes on your child's chest. The electrodes are attached to the monitor with wires.
The technician will cover the electrodes with tape so they do not fall off. Your child will carry the monitor in a pocket or on a strap. The strap can go over the shoulder or around the waist.
Holter monitorA Holter monitor records your child's heartbeat for 24 hours. Children should continue all normal daily activities, except bathing, showering or swimming. Physical activity is recommended.
While your child is wearing the Holter monitor
While the monitor is on, your child should keep doing what they do normally. Your child should do some physical activity such as running or playing sports, unless they have been told not to by their cardiologist. Your child should not shower, swim or take a bath while wearing the monitor.
Keeping a diary
You will be given a diary. Use it to write down what your child does all day. If you use the event button on the monitor, write the reason in the diary as well.
Using the event button
The event button on the monitor is used to mark events like these:
chest pain
feeling dizzy or fainting
shortness of breath
fast or abnormal heartbeat (palpitations)
taking heart medicine
If any of these things happen:
Push the event button on the monitor.
Check the time.
Write down what happened in the diary.
The event button marks the time of the event on the recording. When we look at it later, we will know exactly when your child took medicine or had symptoms.
If your child has symptoms
Follow your doctor's instructions to deal with symptoms. Call a doctor or go to the hospital if your child needs it.
Important points to remember
Check the stickers from time to time to make sure they are firmly in position. If they are loose, press down around the edges.
Write down in the diary what your child does and any symptoms they have.
Push the event button when your child takes heart medicine or has symptoms.
Protect the monitor when your child is playing sports.
Do not let the monitor get wet.
After the test
You must bring the monitor back within seven days
When the recording period is finished, you can take off the stickers and the tape. You can throw the stickers and tape in the garbage. Make sure that all of the wires stay attached to the monitor. Do not take the batteries out of the monitor.
You must bring the monitor and the diary back within seven days. When the monitor is put on your child, we will plan with you how and when to bring or send it back. The monitors are expensive and we need them for other patients, so please remember to return your monitor.
Your cardiology team will give you instructions on how to return your monitors.
Follow-up care
Getting the results of the Holter test
Your child's cardiologist (heart specialist) will give you the results of your child's Holter test. They can also answer your questions about the test.
At SickKids
At SickKids
At SickKids please return your monitor to room 4A47 Monday - Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. After hours and on the weekends please return the monitor to the Holter Monitor drop box to the locked drop-box at the 4A reception desk in the Atrium.
