Heart monitor testing

Fainted, or have chest pain or a racing heartbeat with shortness of breath right now? Call 911.

 

Why your doctor might order one

 

• Palpitations: a fluttering, pounding, racing or skipped heartbeat

• Dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting

• Checking for atrial fibrillation (AFib), including after a stroke

• Seeing how well heart rhythm medicine is working

 

Types of monitors

 

• Holter monitor: worn for 24 to 48 hours and records every heartbeat.

• Extended patch monitor: a small adhesive patch worn for up to 14 days.

• Event monitor: worn for up to 30 days; it records when you have symptoms or when it detects an unusual rhythm.

Which one you get depends on how often your symptoms happen.

 

What to expect

 

Fitting takes about 15 minutes. We place small electrode patches on your chest and connect them to a light recorder, or apply a single wireless patch. Then you go home and follow your usual routine, noting any symptoms and when they happen.

 

When you’re done, you return the device to our office or by mail, and Dr. Fridman reviews the full recording.

 

Palpitations: when to get checked

 

Most palpitations are harmless and are often triggered by caffeine, stress, dehydration or poor sleep. Get checked if they happen often, last more than a few minutes, or come with dizziness, shortness of breath or chest discomfort.

 

Common questions

 

 

Does it hurt?

No. Some people get mild skin irritation from the adhesive.

 

Can I shower with it?

Not with a standard Holter monitor. Many patch monitors are water-resistant, and we’ll tell you which kind you have.

 

When will I get results?

Usually within 1 to 2 weeks. We review them with you in person or by telehealth.

 

 

Related: Atrial fibrillation (AFib) · Echocardiogram · Stress testing

 

Medically reviewed by David Fridman, MD · September 29, 2026