Holter Monitoring

Holter monitoring is a continuous digital recording of a patient’s electrical activity of the heart for 24 hours to 14 days. Since it is worn during your regular daily activities, it helps your physician correlate symptoms of dizziness, palpitations or “black outs”.

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Test Preparation

• Do not apply any lotion, cream or oil to the chest area on the day of the test.

What to Bring

• We recommend you wear loose, comfortable clothing so it is easy to dress after the monitor has been hooked up. However, please do not wear a dress.
• Please bring your health card with you to your appointment.
• If you are not covered through OHIP, please bring any insurance information.
• Bring a list of your current prescription medications and vitamins/supplements.

Other Notes

• If you do not speak or understand English, please ensure you can bring someone to your appointment that can communicate and understand English, and that they can stay for the full duration of your appointment (25 minutes).

Arrival Time

• Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to check-in.
• If you late cancel or no show for your appointment, you may be charged a cancellation fee.

During the Test

• At your appointment, the Holter monitor will be attached to your body. The monitor will either hang from a lanyard around your neck or be in a belt clip. It is attached to your chest using small adhesive pads called "electrodes" that connect to a lightweight, compact device worn around your waist.

After the Test

• You will be able to return to your normal activities when the test is complete, unless your physician or technician tells you otherwise.
• You can continue to be physically active with the monitor attached, including for workouts.
• You can shower while wearing the monitor. However, please avoid exposing the monitor to excess water by:
  • Reducing the water flow of the shower to a minimum.
  • Avoiding direct exposure of the monitor with the shower jet (stand with your back to the shower head so the spray hits your back first, then gently runs over your chest, instead of spraying directly onto the monitor/leads).
  • Avoiding prolonged or very hot showers.
  • Avoiding submerging in water with the monitor.
  • We will provide you with a bag that the monitor can be placed in to reduce the chance of water splashing directly onto the device.
• Avoid rubbing a towel on the monitor, as this may affect the recording.
• Keep the monitor in place for the duration of time specified by the technologist.
• If you are wearing the monitor for 14 days and need to replace the electrodes, please ensure the skin in that area is clean and completely dry before applying the new stickers.

Returning the monitor

• Please return the Holter monitor to the clinic after the monitoring period is complete, at the time specified by the technologist.
• Most of our clinics are open Monday to Friday, but some are also open on Saturday.
• If the return date falls on a weekend or holiday, you can return the monitor on the next business day when our clinic is open.
• If you've removed the monitor prior to returning, please return the monitor (with diary, wires, and accessories) to the clinic receptionist.
• If you have not removed the monitor yet, please let the receptionist know, and a technologist will remove the monitor for you.

Contact Details

• The direct line to contact the Holter analysis team is 905-855-5280 during regular business hours Monday to Fridays from 8am-6pm, and Saturdays from 9am-5pm.
• You can also reach us at 1-877-564-5227, extension 2. Our call centre is open Monday to Fridays from 8am-6pm, and Saturdays from 9am-5pm. If you have a next-day or same-day appointment, you can reach us outside of our call centre hours, by pressing extension 7.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I access my medical images and reports through PocketHealth?

• Yes, you can access your medical images through PocketHealth. However, written reports are currently not available through the platform. If you would like a copy of your report, please reach out to the referring doctor.

How do I get to the clinic?

• For directions to the clinic and the nearest major intersection, please see Locations & Directions.

Can I proceed with the appointment if I am on oxygen?

• We’ll need to understand why you’re on oxygen to determine if we can proceed. Depending on the underlying condition, we may not be able to proceed with the appointment

Is it okay to wear body lotion or perfume for my appointment?

• Please do not wear any scented products to the appointment. Please do not apply body lotion, creams or oils to the chest area prior to the appointment.

What if I've misplaced my health card?

• You can still attend your appointment if you bring a printed copy, photocopy, or photo of your health card.

Will there be any out-of-pocket costs?

• Most services, including Specialist Consults and diagnostic testing, are covered by OHIP.
• If you're paying privately, some insurance providers can be billed directly.
• In other cases, you may need to pay upfront and submit the receipt to your insurance.
• If you do not have OHIP coverage, out-of-pocket payment is required.

Do you have wifi at the clinics?

• Yes, we have wifi available.

Where can I provide feedback or file a complaint?

• You can provide feedback or file a complaint via email at [e-mail] or by visiting our website here.

Can you provide a doctor's note that can send to my employer?

• Yes, we can provide work letters on the day of your appointment. Please ask the reception team.

What is the purpose of this test?

• The Holter monitor records your heart's electrical activity throughout the day to help your doctor identify irregular heartbeats or other heart issues that may not show up during a standard ECG.

Can I return the Holter monitor to a different KMH location?

• The monitor must be returned to the same clinic of your original visit.

Should I avoid doing certain things while wearing the Holter monitor?

• No, continue with your normal daily activities. The goal is to capture your typical heart activity.

Can I sleep normally with the Holter monitor on?

• Yes, you can sleep with the monitor on. You may find it easiest to sleep on your back, or on your side with the monitor beside you. You could also try putting the monitor on a side table while you sleep.

Can I work out or exercise while wearing the Holter monitor?

• Yes, you can work out or exercise while wearing the monitor.

Can I shower or bathe while wearing the monitor?

• Yes, you can shower or bathe while wearing the monitor, but it should not be submerged in the water.

Can I fly while wearing the monitor?

• Yes, you can fly while wearing the monitor. You may temporarily remove the monitor when going through airport security. Consider bringing a copy of your requisition form in case security asks about the device.

Do I have to record symptoms in a diary or log?

• Yes. If you experience symptoms, make a note in the diary of the type of symptom, the time that it occurred and the type of activity you were performing.

Do I need to shave or clean my chest before the appointment?

• You may need to have a small area of your chest shaved. The technologist can shave it during your appointment or you can do it yourself prior to the appointment.

How big is the monitor?

• The monitor is about the size of a deck of playing cards.

Will it interfere with my phone, pacemaker, or other electronics?

• No, the Holter monitor will not interfere with your phone or other electronic devices. If you have a pacemaker or other implanted device, your referring physician will have already confirmed that Holter monitoring is safe for you.

Will the Holter monitor cause any pain or discomfort?

• No, the Holter monitor is completely passive and does not cause pain, shocks, or tingling.

Do I need to turn the monitor off before returning it?

• No, you do not need to turn the monitor off before returning it.

What information should be displayed on the monitor?

• You should always see the word 'recording', along with the time and date on the monitor's display for the entire monitoring period. If other messages are displayed, please call the clinic.

What should I do if an electrode falls off?

• If an electrode falls off, reattach it to your skin. To ensure that it sticks, you may need to clean the skin with alcohol before reattaching the electrode.

What should I do if one of the wires falls off the electrode?

• If the lead wire falls off, reattach it by gently pressing it back on to the electrode. If necessary, replace the electrode. You will be provided with spare electrodes at the appointment.

What should I do if the monitor starts beeping or flashing?

• Check the electrode connections — one may have come loose or fallen off. Reattach any loose electrodes. If the issue persists, contact the clinic.

What should I do if the monitor is blinking red?

• If the monitor blinks red, check that the adhesive patch is securely attached to your chest and press it back on if it begins to peel (or replace the electrodes if necessary).

I accidentally pressed a button on the monitor. What should I do?

• As long as the screen still says "recording," the monitor is functioning normally. If the screen shows anything else or goes blank, contact the clinic.