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ECG (Electrocardiography) and Holter Monitoring Laboratory

Diagnostic services to ensure heart patients receive timely and appropriate treatment

Patient having an ECGElectrocardiography (ECG and EKG), holter monitoring, blood-pressure monitoring, and event monitoring are non-invasive diagnostic procedures that detect abnormalities in the heart. Physicians refer adult inpatients and outpatients, as well as pediatric inpatients, who are at risk for developing arrhythmias, heart disease, and to help diagnose the source of chest pain and other symptoms related to cardiovascular disease.

Currently, the ECG and Holter Monitoring Laboratory is located at the University of Alberta Hospital but will move to the heart institute later this year.

Location
The laboratory is located on the second floor within the Cardiology Clinic at 2C2 on the south-west side of the Walter C. Mackenzie Centre, near the waterfall and teahouse. Please see the Level 2 map, for more information.

Parking
Public parking for inpatients and outpatients is available at metered, underground, surface, and parkade lots on site. For information on hourly, weekly, and monthly parking, as well as locations, please see the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute information sheet.

About electrocardiograms
Electrocardiography is a common procedure that records the rhythm of the heart through electrodes applied to specific sites on the chest, arms, and legs. The recorded electrical impulses, called an electrocardiogram, are interpreted by a cardiologist or internal medicine specialist.

About holter monitoring
Physicians order holter monitoring to continuously record a patient's heart rhythm over an extended period of time. The holter monitor is worn at home and at work for 24 to 48 hours. This provides a comprehensive analysis of your heart rhythm while you carry out your day-to-day activities. The recorded electrical impulses are interpreted by a cardiologist to see if you have extra beats or irregularities with your heartbeat.

What happens during holter monitoring?
During the test, tiny electrodes are securely applied to the chest which connects to a small holter recorder that is carried in a shoulder belt. Patients are also asked to keep a diary of their activities and symptoms to correlate activity to heart rhythm and rate.

Do I have to sleep with the holter monitor on?
Yes – the monitor is still attached and working while you are asleep. You can set it on a night table beside you or tuck it under the pillow. This should allow you to move around a little at night.

Can I damage the holter monitor in any way?
Yes – the monitor is a computer system with memory of your heart tracing. You must be very careful not to drop it, get it wet, or put it in contact with body oils or lotions.

About blood pressure monitoring
Ambulatory blood-pressure monitoring measures your blood pressure several times over a 24-hour period. The results are interpreted by a cardiologist or internal medicine specialist and are used to develop a treatment plan. The most common reason for receiving blood-pressure monitoring is to assess changes in blood pressure throughout the day and to determine how well the current treatment is working.

What happens during blood-pressure monitoring?
The monitor takes your blood pressure every 30 minutes for a 24-hour period. Between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m., the monitor beeps just before taking its next reading, and during the rest of the 24-hour period, the monitor remains silent so that the patient can sleep soundly.

It is important that during this time you carry on with your usual daily activities. Discuss with the clinic nurse your exercise program or other events that may interfere with the procedure.

About event monitoring
Cardiologists order event monitoring to record a patient's heart rhythm during symptomatic events. Patients wear a monitor called the "king of hearts" for two to three weeks. During this time, the monitor is continuously working, but the rhythm is only documented when the patient feels an event coming on and presses a button to record. The patient may remove the "king of hearts" monitor to bathe.

Where can I find more information?
Capital Health and other organizations support online resources on holter monitoring and heart health. These resources should be used as a general guideline only. Individual assessment, interpretations, and advice by your cardiologist should always be your most important resource.

For more information, please see:

 

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