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TESTS
EVENT RECORDER
What is an event recorder?
An event recorder is a small device that
tracks your heart's electrical activity. An event
recorder monitors your heart's electrical
activity for an extended period of time—
usually from a week to a month or more. The
recorder is always on, but it saves your heart
rhythms into its memory only when you push
a button. Many recorders save recordings of
your heart rhythms for 30-60 seconds both
before and after you push the button.
An event recorder can help your doctor find
out if you have abnormal heart rhythms, or
arrhythmias. Arrhythmias might happen
rarely, yet it is still important for your doctor to
know about them and to treat them.
In all, there are three kinds of tests that record your heart's electrical activity,
each for a different period of time:
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)—done in the doctor's office. It records your heart
rhythms for a few seconds.
• Holter monitoring—records and stores (in its memory) all of your heart
rhythms for 24-48 hours.
• Event recorder—constantly records your heart rhythms. But it stores the
rhythms (in its memory) only when you push a button.
When the heart rhythms from any of these three tests are printed out, they all
look the same: the electrical signals look like peaks and valleys. A doctor may
suggest an event recorder when you have symptoms only once a week or once a
month.
Event Recorder
HEARTISTRY brought to you by Boston Scientific Corporation
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What can I expect?
Two sticky patches called electrodes are placed on your chest. The electrodes
connect to wires on the event recorder. The electrodes sense your heart
rhythms, while the event recorder records and stores the rhythms. Your doctor or
nurse will show you how to take the electrodes off for bathing and then put them
back on. The event recording device itself is the size of a small portable tape
recorder. It fits easily on a belt or in a pocket.
You press the button when you feel symptoms. This causes the device to store a
small segment of the recordings. Make sure your family and friends know how to
start the recorder too. In case you have symptoms, they can help you press the
recorder button. Any stored recordings can be sent to your doctor's office, clinic,
or hospital. The staff there will let you know if you need to follow up with your
doctor.
You should be able to do most or all of your daily activities at home and work
while using the event recorder. You won't feel anything while the event recorder
is tracking your heart rhythms. However, sometimes your skin can become
irritated from the sticky patches.
Important Safety Information
Medications, procedures and tests can have some risks and possible side effects. Results may vary
from patient to patient. This information is not meant to replace advice from your doctor. Be sure to
talk to your doctor about these risks and possible side effects.
Boston Scientific is a trademark and HEARTISTRY is a service mark of Boston Scientific Corporation.
Event Recorder
HEARTISTRY brought to you by Boston Scientific Corporation
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