Patient Guide to Wireless Heart Monitoring (Holter Monitor)
What is a Wireless Holter Monitor?
Your doctor has asked for your heart rhythm to be checked over at least 24 hours, and sometimes longer. This test is called a Holter Monitor test.
A small recording device is placed on your chest to measure your heart’s electrical activity (also called an ECG).
The test is painless, and you can continue with most of your normal daily activities diring the monitoring period.
How the Monitor Works
- A small device (called a patch) is attached to the left side of your chest using a strong sticky pad.
- The device sends information to your mobile phone using Bluetooth.
- The information is collected using an app called Vigo Life.
- At the end of the test, the data is analysed and a report is sent to your doctor.
Getting Your Wireless Holter Monitor
Step 1: Before Your Appointment
- We will register you on our monitoring system.
- You will receive a text message with a link to download the Vigo Life app.
- If possible, please download the app before your appointment.
- If you are unsure how to do this, we are happy to help you.
- Please bring your mobile phone to your appointment.
Important: If you do not have a smartphone or are unable to use the app, please let us know. We can still complete the test.
Step 2: At Your Appointment
- The technician will place the patch on your chest.
- They will explain what to expect during the monitoring period.
- They will also explain when and how to return the device.
Step 3: During the Monitoring Period
- Go about your normal daily activities.
- You may do light to moderate exercise.
- Showering is allowed. The device is splash-proof.
- Do not swim or have a bath, as the device must not be fully submerged in water.
Step 4: Using the App
- You may check the app from time to time to make sure it is recording.
- You can also note any symptoms (for example, fast heartbeat or dizziness) or activities.
- This step is not required, but it can help your doctor understand your results.
Step 5: Finishing the Recording
- At the end of the monitoring time, stay close to your phone.
- The device will send the final information to the app.
- This can take up to 15 minutes.
- When finished, the app will show “ECG recording complete.”
- You can now remove the device.
Step 6: Removing the Device
- Carefully remove the patch and device from your chest.
- Place it in the case provided.
Step 7: Returning the Device
- The technician will tell you when to return the device.
- If you have an appointment with a QCG doctor, bring the device with you.
- Your doctor will have your results and explain them to you.
- If you are seeing a different doctor, please return the device within 5–7 days after the test finishes.
Frequently Asked Questions
This question is best discussed with your doctor, but the most common reason is to check you are not experiencing irregular heartbeats, also called arrhythmias.
That’s okay. Let the QCG team know when making your fitting appointment and we will have one our spare phones available for you to use with your patch. Remember to bring the phone with the device back to your follow up appointment.
A common issue that we can resolve with face ID (if set up on your phone) or resetting your password. The QCG team will talk you through these steps.
The recording device or patch will continue to record data, but as soon as possible, recharge your phone and turn it on. Once the phone is on and near you, it will download the data from the recording device/patch.
The app sends reminders if the app is closed. Simply reopen the app (from the icon). The recording device (or patch) will continue to record data and will upload data when the app is open.
Check Bluetooth is enabled on your phone. Bluetooth is how the data or heartbeats are transferred from the device to your phone. If Bluetooth is on and there is still no trace, close the app completely and reopen to refresh the connection.
This message means that the sticky tape or adhesive has come loose from the skin which is causing the signal to disrupt. Press firmly on the patch. If the message continues, close the app completely and reopen to refresh the connection. If the message continues, there are spare adhesives (sticky tapes) in your case, to reapply.
Remove the old sticky tape. If there is some residual stickiness on the device, you can use an antibacterial wipe or alcohol wipe to gently remove. Dry the area completely. Apply a new adhesive (there is spare one in your bag) and press firmly to your chest.
The recording device or patch will continue to record data. When the connection is restored and the phone is near you, the data will transfer automatically.
No, up to 4 days of data will store within the recording device if needed. When you come back into Bluetooth range of your mobile phone the device will reconnect and transmit the data to the Vigo Life app.
Yes the device can get wet in the shower. However, the device cannot be submerged in water for too long, so best to not swim or bathe with the device on.
It is usually okay and the device can handle the water. To check, look at the mobile phone app and make sure a trace is being transmitted. If there is no trace being transmitted, check blue tooth is enabled. If still no trace, close the app and reopen the app to refresh the connection. If there is still no connection, try changing the patch. If none of these steps work, please give us a call on 3016 1111.
Yes, you can do moderate levels of exercise with the device on, however, the sticky tape may lose its adhesion if you get very sweaty. If this happens remove the patch and device, clean and dry your skin and reapply the patch and device to the same spot. You may want to record your exercise/activity in the app.
Some people may have a reaction to the adhesive. If the skin becomes uncomfortable or feels irritated or sore, remove the recording device / patch, place it in the case, and give us a call on 3016 1111. We will advise you on what to do next and if needed we have alternative monitoring devices we can use to assess your heart rhythm.
Yes, once the data has been successfully uploaded you may delete the phone app and any associated data from your phone.
One the app states that the data upload is successfully complete you can remove the patch. The patch has a white tab at one end, to remove it use this white tab to carefully peel of the patch with the monitor on it. If you feel confident you can removed the device from the sticky patch, and dispose of the patch in the bin.
It shouldn’t but we can’t guarantee it. If you have a medical device connected to your phone please contact the doctor who prescribed the device for advice.
This monitor gives us the same amount of data as the “older style” monitors, and in some ways more/better data . As the device is so small and easy to manage it makes it easy for you to continue with you normal daily activities which may even give us better data.
Results
After the Holter Monitor and symptom diary is returned at the arranged time and location the following day, it will be analysed and a full report will then be sent to your doctor within 24 hours. You will need to contact the referring doctor who requested the Holter Monitor to get the results and find out if you require any further testing or treatment.
