FAQ for Neuro Patients
Importance of Long Term Cardiac Monitoring for Patients with neurological Symptoms
Q. Why do you see a Neurologist after stroke?
Q. My ECG is normal, then why should I go for Holter?
ECG is snapshot of just 45 second of heart Rhythm. ECG will not detect irregular heart beat and rhythm that occurs over extended period of time. Hence doing Holter recording for longer period is important so that irregular heart beat and rhythm can be detected with very high possibility.
Q. Why Holter is recommended for longer period? Why not 1-2 days when my ECG is normal?
Wearing an ECG Holter for at least a week can significantly improve chances of finding the irregular heart beat and rhythm compared to the traditional Holter, which is typically worn for 24-48 hours.
Q. Will the Holter results help my doctor to treat me?
Yes. It is important for doctor to confirm or rule out cardiac cause of your medical condition. The Holter results allow doctor to see heart beat and rhythm irregularity over extended period of time which is very useful.
Q. My 2D echo is also normal, mean my heart is absolute normal. Then still why should I go for Holter monitoring?
2D echo test is to see the damages, blockages and blood flow rate of your heart. It does not monitor your heart beat and rhythm irregularity which is important for diagnosis. Hence extended Holter monitoring is recommended.
Q. I had a stroke which is related with brain only. Then why do I go for Heart related test?
Heart rhythm can directly affect the nervous system in Brain. Sometimes heart beats abnormally leading to irregular heart rhythm (Arrhythmias) including Afib. Afib (Atrial Fibrillation) is an irregular and often very rapid heart rhythm that can lead to blood clots in the heart. These blood clots in the heart may travel from heart to brain causing damage to the brain.
Q.Can Holter Monitor detect a stroke?
Holter Monitor can identify Afib in patients with strokes so as to assist in prevention of recurrence of stroke by providing treatment for Afib.
Q. Is Holter is painful? Can I do all routine activities?
No. It is non-invasive and device is attached externally on the chest. The patient can do all his/her normal activities like walking, running, sleeping while wearing the device.
Q. Can a Holter monitor detect blockage?
Holter monitor detects irregular heart beat and rhythm only. Some patients may have conditions such as heart block that can lead to a slow heart rate leading to dizziness, fainting. Some patients may have irregular rapid heart rates from Afib or other types of Arrhythmias. Holter monitor can be used to diagnose and characterized these disorders.