From the Research
You should maintain your normal daily activities and routine while wearing a Holter monitor, avoiding activities that could damage the device or interfere with accurate recording. According to the most recent and highest quality study 1, it is recommended to continue with normal daily activities, including walking, light exercise, and working, but avoid swimming, bathing, showering, or other activities that would get the monitor wet. Additionally, high-impact exercises, saunas, electric blankets, and magnets should be avoided as they could interfere with the recording 1. The purpose of wearing a Holter monitor is to record your heart's electrical activity during your typical daily routine to help diagnose irregular heart rhythms that may not appear during a standard electrocardiogram.
Some key points to consider while wearing a Holter monitor include:
- Continue taking all medications as prescribed unless your doctor specifically instructs otherwise
- Keep a diary of your activities, symptoms, and medication times during the monitoring period (typically 24-48 hours) to help your doctor correlate any heart rhythm changes with specific activities or symptoms
- Avoid activities that could damage the device or interfere with accurate recording, such as high-impact exercises or exposure to water
- The Holter monitor is designed to record your heart's electrical activity during normal daily activities, so it is essential to maintain your regular routine to get accurate results 2, 1.
It's also important to note that the Holter monitor is a valuable tool for diagnosing irregular heart rhythms, and by following these guidelines, you can help ensure that the test is accurate and effective in providing a comprehensive picture of your heart's function during normal daily life 3.