Event Monitor

An event monitor is a specialized medical device used for diagnosing and evaluating irregular heart rhythms and episodes that may not be detected during a standard electrocardiogram (ECG). At Reagan Medical Center, we utilize event monitors to provide detailed and prolonged monitoring of a patient’s cardiac activity, especially for symptoms that occur intermittently or are difficult to capture with short-term ECGs.

The event monitor is a portable, battery-operated device that records the heart's electrical activity over an extended period, typically ranging from a few days to several weeks. Patients are provided with a small, lightweight device that they wear continuously, allowing for continuous recording of their heart rhythms. Unlike standard ECGs, which capture heart activity for just a few seconds, event monitors can record for days or weeks, making them ideal for detecting infrequent or episodic cardiac events.

During the monitoring period, patients may be instructed to activate the device manually whenever they experience symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, or fainting. This manual activation allows the event monitor to record the heart’s electrical activity at the exact moment of the symptom, providing valuable data for analysis. The device continuously stores the data, and once the monitoring period is complete, the recorded information is reviewed by our healthcare professionals to identify any abnormal heart rhythms or patterns.

Event monitors are particularly useful for diagnosing arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, ventricular ectopy, or other irregular heartbeats that may not occur frequently enough to be captured during a standard ECG. They are also valuable for assessing the effectiveness of ongoing treatments and making informed decisions about further diagnostic testing or therapeutic interventions.

At Reagan Medical Center, our team ensures that patients are well-informed about how to use the event monitor and understand its importance in their diagnostic process. We provide comprehensive analysis and interpretation of the collected data, offering detailed reports to guide treatment planning and management. By integrating event monitoring into our diagnostic approach, we enhance our ability to accurately identify and address complex cardiac issues, leading to more effective and personalized patient care.