The Holter monitor is essentially an EKG of the heart for 24 hours. Patients are outfitted with the monitor and leads (stickers). Staff will give instructions on how to apply the leads, along with precautions. Patients are expected to do their regular activities during the 24 hour period. After the monitor is returned, the data is then decoded and analyzed by the computer software and the physician. The Holter monitor is the size of an average cellphone.
Common reasons for Holter monitors are palpitations, dizziness, or arrythmia that the physician is monitoring.