4 Heart Rhythm Tests

One of the most essential aspects of the body is a person’s heart rate. The heart circulates oxygen and blood around the body so it needs to be working properly. You don’t want the heart beating too fast, too slow, or too erratic. If your heart rate appears to be abnormal, a cardiologist might order a heart monitor to test the heart’s rhythm. Here are some of the common heart monitor mechanisms you might receive with cardiology treatment in Suffolk County, NY.

Holter Monitor

The Holter monitor is a recording of your heart. Typically ordered if you experience heart issues at least once a day, it records your heartbeat for a whole 24 hours. During the time of the recording, you’ll keep a record of what you’re doing. By keeping a timely diary of your day, the cardiologist will be able to determine if some activity is causing trouble. After the 24 hours are up, you’ll return the monitor to a technician who will process the information for the cardiologist to review.

Event Monitor

An event monitor might be required if you have heart-related symptoms that occur less than once a day. Unlike a Holter monitor, an event monitor doesn’t record all day. Instead, a patient will push a button when they feel a symptom of their heart condition. A recording will then be made of the rhythm during that symptom. The recording will often be sent to the cardiologist over the phone for them to examine. This type of monitor might be worn for up to 30 days.

Implantable Event Recorder

If the symptoms of your heart condition occur rarer than once every couple of days, you might require something that can be used over a longer period of time. An implantable event recorder is placed underneath the skin using a small operation. The device will record your heart rhythm for up to 14 months.

Exercise Stress Testing

An exercise stress test is used to determine the functionality of the heart during exercise. This type of testing measures the heart rate, blood pressure, and heart muscle. After 10 to 15 minutes of setting up the test, the patient will run on a treadmill at standards speeds for 10 to 15 minutes while connected to an EKG or breathing into a tube. They will then spend 10 to 15 minutes in observation.

The rhythm of a heart is essential for its proper function. There are several tests that might be done to determine if the heart is too fast, too slow, or has an abnormal beat. This will help the cardiologist determine if there is any need for further cardiology treatment in Suffolk County, NY.