Cardiac event recorder, event monitor cardiology or cardiac event monitor is a device used to record and examine the functioning of the heart. Cardiac event monitors that help observe the functioning of the heart are known by different names such as 30 day heart event monitor, 24 hour Holter monitor (cardiac Holter monitor), Braemar cardiac event monitor and ECG event monitor. The Holter monitor is a portable device that records a single day's electrical activity of the central nervous system while the 30 day heart event monitor observes the functioning of the heart over a month.
The cardiac event monitor is mainly used to observe or detect any abnormal rhythms of the heart. The monitor is a small device that is attached to the chest of the patient. The patient is then advised to push a small button on the monitoring device when the patient feels certain signs that indicate change from normal heart rhythm. This change from normal heart rhythm is considered as an event. Certain indications that must trigger such an ‘event' are: lightheadedness, dizziness, weakness, fluttering sensation, palpitation, fainting spell, chest pain or thumping. After pushing the event button the patient is expected to stay calm and motionless to help the device record data. The patient can resume routine after a high pitched sound that the machine emits when the event button pushed, shuts down. The high pitched sound lasts for thirty seconds and is an indication that the recording is in progress. The monitor stores the heart rhythm data and sends the data through telephone lines to your doctor. The recorded data cannot be transmitted through cellular phones or any other portable device. The recorded cardiac event helps the doctor understand your heart condition and choose the most appropriate treatment accordingly.
The cardiac event monitor is connected to a set of wires attached to two electrodes. The monitor can be clipped to the waistband while the electrodes are worn on the chest. The cardiac event monitor can be worn for a day or 30 days as per the doctor's advice. It is not advised to wear the device while bathing. An ECG technician helps analyze the heart rhythm data. The recording may be transmitted either daily or weekly according to the doctors or ECG technicians guidelines. On an average it is important to transmit data after the completion of three to four events. It is advisable to use the cardiac event monitoring device after a basic training session that covers recording and transmitting the information.