Ambulatory Electrocardiogram

Cardiac Event Monitoring, Electrocardiography, Ambulatory, Holter Monitoring

How To Prepare

Many medicines may change the results of this test. Be sure to tell your doctor about all the non-prescription and prescription medicines you take.

Since an EKG is often used to monitor a pre-existing heart condition, such as an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), make sure that your doctor has copies of any previous EKG results.

Take a shower or bath before the discs are put on. You will not be able to get the discs wet during the test. Wear a loose blouse or shirt. Do not wear jewellery or clothes with metal buttons or buckles, because these can interfere with the recording. Women should not wear an underwire bra for the same reason.

Talk to your doctor about any concerns you have regarding the need for the test, its risks, how it will be done, or what the results will indicate. To help you understand the importance of this test, fill out the medical test information form(What is a PDF document?).

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Author:	Douglas Dana Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: February 21, 2008
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
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