Event monitor

An event monitor is a lightweight device that records your heart rate and rhythm during your daily activities and while you sleep.

Your doctor may order this test if you’ve had:

• heart palpitations
• dizziness
• fainting
• an unusual heart rate or rhythm (identified in another test).

Most people wear the event monitor for up to two weeks, but it can record for up to a month.

What happens at the appointment?

You will have the event monitor put on at hospital or in a clinic.

Sticky pads (electrodes) will be placed on your chest. Sometimes the clinicians may shave patches to attach the sticky pads.

These pads are attached by wires to the event monitor. The monitor is about the size of a matchbox. You can hang it around your neck or clip it on your waistband.

You’ll be given a diary to record any symptoms you have while wearing the monitor.

The appointment usually takes about 15 minutes.

While you’re wearing the monitor

You’ll wear the monitor all day and night. It measures your heart rate and rhythm.

When you have symptoms such as dizziness or heart palpitations, press the button to start a recording. You will hear a short beep when the monitor is recording. Write the symptoms and your activity in the diary.

Don’t worry if you forget to press the button. The monitor will automatically record any unusual rhythm.

There’s no need to phone the hospital or clinic if you experience symptoms, just press the monitor button and make a note in your diary. However, if you experience any extreme symptoms or feel unsafe, call 111.

You can remove the monitor when you have a shower or bath and put it on again afterwards. You will be shown how to do this at your first appointment. After showering, stick the electrodes next to the original patch of skin, not on top of it. This stops your skin getting sore.

Returning the monitor

You’ll be given an appointment time to return the diary and have the monitor taken off. This will be a quick 10-minute appointment.

You won’t get the results on the day. The information will be reviewed and sent to the doctor who ordered the test.

Key things to remember