Cardiac Rhythm’s Guidelines to Remember While Using Heart Performance Monitors

Posted on March 21, 2022

Cardiac arrhythmia is a renowned heart disorder affecting a vast range of people in the world, regardless of age or gender. It is characterized by fluctuating heartbeat or rhythm; and is observed as two types, Bradycardia and Tachycardia, referring to decreased and increased heartbeats, respectively. The symptoms of these conditions manifest as chest pain and palpitations, breathlessness, dizziness, and last but not the least unexplained spells of fainting.

Heart ailments are a global enemy and can stem from any of the multitudes of factors including but not limited to prolonged stress, improper diets, irregular sleep patterns and a lack of fitness regimen; resulting in a profoundly high risk of sudden onset of heart-related complications, that may, in a worst-case scenario, result in a person’s death.

But in these dark moments, heart rate monitoring devices are the hero of the hour, assisting humanity in its battle against this unpredictable adversary, by helping in the detection of any symptoms of arrhythmia in patients. The latest versions of heart monitors work on wireless technology and features for constant remote monitoring.

Cardiac Rhythm is one such savior of humanity, engendered by TechIndia, that possesses, like every other type of technology, certain protocols for its safe and proper use. This article sheds light on such requirements of heart performance monitors.

Monitoring your Heart is now made easy

Ambulatory ECG or Holter monitors are portable ECG monitoring devices designed to perform as a remote heart monitoring system used to detect arrhythmia in patients suspected to have exhibited symptoms.

While these patients are at home and performing their routine activities, they are equipped with a Holter monitor and their heart activity is recorded. It is composed of small electrodes, secured to their chest, and connected by wires to a compact recording device attached to a belt, which is worn as one would normally do.

The patient is also provided with a diary to make a note of the time of occurrence and the symptoms of arrhythmia experienced. The monitor, once it has been returned to the clinic, has its stored data extracted.

The data is then correlated with the symptoms recorded by the patient, analyzed by doctors and hospitals, and eventually evaluated, for the detection, management and remediation of arrhythmia.

Features of the heart performance monitors

With the march of time, technology continues to make advancements in leaps and bounds to provide us with innovative and cutting-edge medical marvels that continue to be convenient and comfortable means of therapy. Holter monitoring is one such procedure that has benefited from this evolutionary trend and its salient features are mentioned below.

• The Long Term Holter Monitors are very convenient for use by patients, as it can be worn underneath the clothes for an extended period of time without interfering with daily activities.  
• The upgraded versions of Holter monitors are capable of recording for an extended duration, and can last from 48 hours to as long as a month, as per requirement. This is made possible by the improved memory capacity and this process is referred to as Long-Term Holter monitoring.

• They assist with the prognostication of the chance that a patient develops arrhythmia. It also supervises their response to therapy and also observes for the likelihood of the manifestation of silent ischemia, i.e., the loss of blood flow or oxygen to the heart without the typical chest pain.

• These remote sensors are designed to activate automatically during a scenario of arrhythmia and instantly transmit data, via wireless means a centralized server, providing near real-time data to physicians, enabling them to provide quick, seamless treatment.

The do’s while using a heart performance monitor.

Long-Term Holter monitoring, over the years, has transformed into a highly recommended option for ambulatory cardiac monitoring service. There are, however, prerequisites for the safe and productive use of Holter monitoring systems and they are mentioned accordingly:  

• Moderation of alcohol and caffeine intake is a must during the monitoring process. This is because these beverages cause a fluctuation in the heart rate leading to an erroneous recording of heart-rate data. It is important in these cases for the patient to monitor and record their consumption of such fluids, as it would assist the doctors in disregarding incoherent data.

• It is of utmost importance for patients to be fully aware about their condition. Also, honest and straightforward with their doctors while undergoing diagnosis for arrhythmia. This ensures that they make the right decisions while evaluating the treatment process.

• When cardiac monitoring process is being conducted in hospitals or clinics, there should always be supervision by trained medical professionals, especially in the matters of responsibility of taking clinically significant decisions such as: a) the specific and appropriate degree of motoring surveillance required with respect to the clinical area, b) the minimal qualifications and training required by personnel to be assigned monitor surveillance duties, c) the procedures and protocols to be followed in the event of an arrhythmic episode, and finally, d) the decision for the initiation or discontinuation of monitoring.

• In case of a life-threatening episode of arrhythmia, there should be the presence of both physicians and nurses to immediately treat and stabilize the. Any lack of trained medical staff available to promptly detect and treat arrhythmia is of concern and should be addressed appropriately.       

The don’ts while using a heart performance monitor

Heart monitors have been designed to save human lives but it is also important that the right practices are followed when one depends on them. Moreover, it can pose detrimental to the health and safety of a patient, in some situations. Such scenarios have been mentioned as follows:  

• One of the main things to avoid is using equipment that generates an electromagnetic field. This includes appliances such as microwave ovens, electric razors, toothbrushes and electric blankets. One should also avoid using a metal detector or passing through one at security. The electromagnetic field generated by these electronics interferes with the inner-workings and circuitry of the heart monitor leading to the registration of incorrect data leading to a misinterpretation and will hamper arrhythmia therapy.                       
• It is also important for patients that have recently been stabilized from their heart arrhythmia or heart-attack episode, to limit their intake of caffeine to prevent recurring episodes. These beverages affect the heart rate, blood pressure and also the dilation of blood vessels and are considered to be significant enough to warrant stringent abstinence.

Conclusion

Matters of the heart are always important, not just for the one person but also their loved ones. Cardiac Rhythm Heart monitors will always continue to work and develop for the longevity of humanity, but it is important that such goodwill is reciprocated by the populace through an informed and patient manner to evoke the best possible benefits from the technology at their disposal. In the end, perseverance depends on one’s awareness of his situation and making the most of what is offered and using that in the best way one possibly can.

Tags: heart ECG monitoring, Heart Performance Monitor, Heart Performance Monitor Service