The 24-hour cardiac Holter records every beat of your heart as you work, sleep and go about your normal activities. It detects intermittent arrhythmias that a resting electrocardiogram often misses. With this outpatient study you get a complete picture of your heart rhythm and avoid late diagnosis.
What is a Holter and what is it for?
The Holter ECG -also called Holter rhythm- is a portable monitor that records the heart's electrical signal between 24 and 48 h. Ten adhesive electrodes are connected to a cell phone-sized recorder that stores the information. Its main purpose is:
- Identify arrhythmias (atrial fibrillation, supraventricular tachycardia, extrasystoles).
- Correlate symptoms (palpitations, dizziness) with ECG changes.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of pacemaker or antiarrhythmic drugs.
The American Heart Association considers the Holter monitor the reference tool when palpitations are not evident on an office ECG.
Indications: When is cardiac Holter recommended?
- Sporadic palpitations, "jumping" sensation in the chest.
- Dizziness or fainting of uncertain origin.
- Follow-up after ablation or pacemaker implantation.
- Monitor arrhythmias in heart failure o congenital cardiopathies.
- Evaluate exercise-induced arrhythmias (link to /exercise-test/).
When paroxysmal atrial fibrillation is suspected, a 24-h Holter monitor increases detection by up to 70 % with respect to the short ECG.
Procedure: How is a 24 h Holter study performed?
- Placement appointment
- Skin cleansing and, if necessary, shaving of small patches.
- Placement of electrodes and recorder; signal check.
- Daily life
- The patient maintains normal activities (work, walk, sleep).
- Avoid getting the device wet; a bath is recommended before starting.
- Symptom diary
- Time and situation are noted when irregular heartbeat, pain or dizziness are perceived.
- Withdrawal at 24 h
- Data download; software generates strips and a summary of frequency and events.
Frequent discomfort: minor skin irritation and minimal discomfort when sleeping due to the wires.
Interpretation of results: what to expect
| Key data | Desirable range | Orientation if it varies |
|---|---|---|
| Basal rate | Sinus | Frequent extrasystoles > 5 % → possible follow-up. |
| Pauses | < 2 s | > 3 s → value pacemaker |
| Atrial fibrillation | Absent | Episodes ≥ 30 s → consider anticoagulation. |
| Average frequency | 60-100 bpm | Average > 100 → possible inappropriate tachycardia. |
Dr. Castolo correlates the findings with your diary and decides if you need pharmacological adjustments, ablation or other tests (e.g. pressure MAP: /pressure-map-24h/).
Benefits, advantages and risks
Benefits
- Early detection of silent arrhythmias.
- Accurate therapeutic guidance without hospitalization.
- Continuous recording revealing diurnal and nocturnal variations.
Advantages over resting ECG
| Feature | 24 h Holter | Office ECG |
|---|---|---|
| Duration | 24-48 h | 10 s |
| Detects intermittent arrhythmias | ✔️ | Limited |
| Interferes with daily life | Minimum | N/A |
| Estimated cost PV | $2 000 MXN | $350 MXN |
RisksVery low; slight redness may occur due to adhesive.
Cardiac Holter monitor price in Puerto Vallarta
The cost of the 24-hour Holter study is usually located between $1 900 and $2 300 MXN and includes placement, analysis and interpreted report. We bill with CPT key for reimbursement; check with your insurance company.
Preparation and recommendations
- Bathe before the appointment; then avoid showering.
- Use a belt or light bag to carry the recorder.
- Avoid powerful magnets (large speakers) and industrial metal detectors.
- Record medication time and symptoms to correlate events.
Where to do a cardiac Holter in Puerto Vallarta
The study is placed in Dr. Karla Castolo's office with high resolution digital equipment. To guarantee availability of devices, it is convenient to schedule a date in advance via phone call or message.
Next step
If you notice occasional palpitations or are diagnosed with arrhythmia, a 24 h Holter ECG helps to confirm the cause and design an effective treatment.
Request more information or schedule your Holter study and get a complete analysis of your heart rate in real life conditions.