Innately fulfilling purposes that are similar and overlap from time to time, it’s quite easy to blur the lines between holter diagnostics services and a standard or traditional ECG. But what do they mean and where do the differences lie? More importantly, when is a holter test more suitable than a conventional ECG, or vice versa? If these questions have been troubling you, we have all the answers you’re looking for and more. In our guide, we’ll cover the basics of each and when one is appropriate over the other. By the end of it, you’ll be able to make an informed decision of your own.
Starting from the top: Defining holter diagnostics and an ECG
Remote holter monitoring services typically involve the use of a heart rhythm monitoring device called a holter monitor. It records the electrical activity of your heart for about 24 to 48 hours. The device attaches to the chest and offers non-stop recording of your heart rate, and other metrics.
Your physician may recommend holter monitoring if they feel there’s a need to keep track of the actions of your heart for a longer period. More about that in a short while.
A conventional ECG, which is what most people mean when they use that term, on the other hand, is a quick test that lasts for a few minutes. You’ll be in and out of the doctor’s office before you know it. During an ECG procedure, technicians will attach electrodes to your chest and generate an ECG strip, mapping out your heart’s electrical activity to inform a diagnosis.
Overall, both ECGs and holter diagnostics can help in the detection of the following conditions:
- Heart attacks
- Coronary heart disease
- Arrhythmias
Differences between an ECG and holter diagnostics
To truly understand whether you require a conventional ECG or holter reporting services, we must understand the differences between both. In truth, these two stand apart like day and night and here’s how.
- Data capture: A holter monitoring service provides an overview of your cardiac activity over a particular duration. An ECG, meanwhile, captures an instance of your heart’s electrical activity for a brief point in time
- Equipment: Holter diagnostics entail a portable device that may transmit data wirelessly. An ECG machine is bulkier and has more electrodes or wires
- Ambulatory nature: Holter monitoring enables remote, outpatient monitoring. This is in sharp contrast to an ECG which technicians typically carry out within a clinical environment such as a laboratory
- Monitoring period: An ECG monitors the heart activity for a few moments while a holter monitor can provide monitoring for up to 2 days.
- Results turnaround: Due to their short monitoring period, ECGs offer almost instantaneous results. The same cannot be said of holter monitors, which require at least 24 hours, usually more, to get back a diagnosis.
Now that we’ve drawn the line between ECGs and holter diagnostics, it’s now time to determine the best fit for you.
When a traditional ECG is recommended
Now let’s talk about the elephant in the room. When should you go for an ECG test over a holter monitor? If the writing is on the wall and you’re exhibiting severe symptoms, an ECG test is the way to go.
Symptoms that indicate you may need to get an ECG test carried out as soon as possible include:
- Overwhelming feelings of fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Pain around the shoulder, arm, back, and neck
- Nausea and chest discomfort
An ECG can help your physician quickly get to the bottom of a potential heart condition, such as a heart attack, thus ensuring faster clinical intervention. It is ideal in symptomatic cases.
But there’s another use case for ECGs too. If you have risk factors for heart disease, such as a family history of a particular heart condition or underlying diseases like diabetes, physicians may also include ECGs as part of your routine tests.
When holter diagnostics are more suitable
The thing about heart arrhythmias and other heart conditions is that they don’t always come with alarm bells and warning signs. Some can occur devoid of any symptoms, and that’s where holter reporting services become necessary.
Holter monitoring diagnostics is the go-to when physicians want to assess your heart for a longer period to get a more conclusive diagnosis. It can pick up abnormalities while you go about your day-to-day without any intrusion. Holter monitoring can detect arrhythmias you may not even know that you have.
Because of its longer duration of monitoring, a holter device also affords more reliable or accurate results. If you’re already living with a heart arrhythmia and a physician wants to gauge the level of physical strain your body can handle, for instance to determine if you can play a particular sport, you may be placed under holter monitoring. This technology enables you to rule out or green-light activities your body can perform comfortably.
Holter monitoring is also ideal when you experience intermittent symptoms or those that are few and far between. Physicians can simulate exercise or other strenuous activities to trigger the condition and record its activity on an ECG strip. But when exercise fails to replicate these symptoms, your physician might turn to holter diagnostics to see how it plays out in your day-to-day.
A few benefits of holter monitoring over ECGs that we should point out include:
- Negates the need for patient admission
- Fewer disruptions to your daily schedule
- Peace of mind for patients around the clock
- It is among the most effective ways of diagnosing arrhythmias
However, holter monitors have their risks as well. Some of these devices may not be waterproof and can also be susceptible to microwaves, electricity, and magnets. Hence, patients should exercise great care to stay away from these sources of interference.
Final verdict: A physician’s input is crucial
Holter monitoring paints a more complete picture compared to ECGs which provide results for particular instances of time. The key denominator, however, is that both are painless processes that could potentially save your life. That said, the decision to either go with an ECG test or holter analysis services is one you shouldn’t undertake without expert guidance. Arrhythmias can be serious and knowing how to go about them can make all the difference. Consult your physician to get expert advice on how to proceed. Reach out to the Techindia website to learn more about arrhythmias and holter diagnostics services.