HCM All Hearts Diagnostic Tools

An event monitor is a portable device that is used to record the electrical activity of your heart.

It records the same information as an EKG but for longer periods of time. An event monitor only records when you activate it, not continuously. It is used mainly to find heart rhythm problems that may be serious but occur only occasionally.

Some devices begin recording automatically if they detect abnormal heart rhythms. Many event monitors send the information that was recorded directly to your doctor. For other devices, you might need to send the recordings over the phone to your doctor.

Event monitors are risk-free and do not cause pain. However, the sticky patches that attach the sensors to the skin can sometimes cause irritation. This goes away after a few days, and hydrocortisone cream can help.

There are many different types of event monitors that work in different ways. Your doctor will teach you how to use your monitor correctly.

Sometimes only a few recordings are needed before your doctor can identify a problem with your heart, and you can stop wearing the monitor. Other times, you may wear it for up to a month.