What to bring

• Valid Health card
• List of all your medications, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal medicines

When you arrive

• Please use the new Main Entrance and register at one of the self-serve kiosks at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment. Clerks are available to help with the registration process.
• Upon registering, take a “puck”. It will buzz and light up when your turn comes up and indicates in which room to report.
• Use the Cardiology door to go to your exam room.

What to expect

The technologist will provide you with a complete explanation of the test, instructions on what to do during the test, a journal and will take the time to answer all the questions you may have. The technologist will need to clean your skin with alcohol. It is necessary to shave off any hair and rub the skin with abrasive paper to ensure better adhesion between the electrodes and your skin. The test involves placing self-adhesive electrodes on your chest and connecting them to a box that records heart activity for 72hrs or 7 days. For the 7-day monitor, you’ll need to replace the electrodes yourself, following the steps the technologist will explain (see below).

• SAFETY PRECAUTIONS: The recorder is not waterproof. Do not expose the recorder to water, including adverse weather conditions or taking a bath. The electrodes can irritate the underlying skin and if left in place can cause skin ulceration. If you experience severe irritation, please remove the electrodes.
• It is important that you press and release the event button to mark an event Note the date and time of the relevant events in the journal that has been provided:
  • Strenuous or unusual physical or emotional activities or experiences.
  • Symptoms such as: chest pain, chest tightness, arm pain, jaw pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, palpitations (rapid or forceful heart beats), and any other symptoms you may be having.
• For the 72 hour monitor, you are not permitted to take a bath or shower while wearing the monitor.
  Washing by hand is permitted.
• For the 7 day monitor, you will need to change the electrodes every 3 days. When replacing electrodes during a recording, please proceed as follows:
  • Do not attempt to turn off the recorder when replacing electrodes.
  • Disconnect the ends of the cables from the electrodes.
  • Gently peel off the old electrodes.
  • Wait until your skin has dried completely before attaching new electrodes after bathing. Do not put cream on your skin.
  • Place the new electrodes on your skin as shown on the diagram. (Adjust the electrode placement slightly to the right/left of the previous placement)
  • Reconnect the ends of the cables to the electrodes according to the colour placement on the diagram (on following page).
• Take your medication as usual. Continue with your normal routine.
• Periodically verify that all Holter monitor wires are still firmly attached to your skin. If an electrode detaches, reapply with a new electrode, as indicated on diagram. Occasionally, a light may flicker.
• The technologist will advise you when to remove the monitor. When doing so, remove the adhesive,
  electrodes and detach wires carefully (no scissors). Remove the disposable belt and discard it along with the adhesives.
• You will need to return the monitor, pouch, wires and journal to the Hospital at a predetermined date and time.
• When you return to the Hospital as scheduled, please return the monitor to the main entrance of the hospital. At the main information desk, there’s a white box for dropping off equipment.
• A cardiologist will analyze all the data obtained after the test is completed. A report will be sent to your doctor within 7 to 10 days. Results will also be available in My Chart. The technologist is not able to provide you with test results.

You may experience skin irritation, burning, and rash-like symptoms at the electrode sites; on installation, during test, and/or after removal of the holter monitor. Skin irritation may be mild or in very rare cases cause scarring. Mild irritation is a typical reaction from the abrasive paper used during installation and long exposure to the sticky adhesive on the electrodes. The adhesive from electrodes can cause irritant contact dermatitis, which is when your skin becomes irritated from contact chemicals in the adhesive. Common symptoms can include;

• redness;
• itchy skin;
• swelling or raised skin;
• dry, scaly or cracked skin;
• blisters

For good aftercare and a smooth recovery of your skin, the following advice is extremely important

What NOT to do:

• Rip off bandages and electrodes. Remove them from your skin carefully. First remove wire from the
  electrode. Use a damp cloth or oil-based product such as olive oil to remove from skin.
• Avoid creams with alcohol and everything that could irritate the skin for the next 48h.
• Do not scratch the affected areas. Moisturize daily and a cold compress can help relive itching. Do not remove scabs- it may result in scaring. Allow them to heal naturally.

What to do:

• Gently clean away any remaining adhesive.
• Apply an eczema-friendly bland and non-scented moisturizer over effect area. Examples: Eucerin, Aveeno, Cetaphil etc. Polysporin may be used on extreme cases of ulcerated/ broken skin.
• A daily application of moisturizing cream is recommended.

Business hours

Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

To book an appointment

613-632-1111, option 1, 1
Toll-free 1-800-790-8870, option 1

Fax

613-636-6175

To reach the Cardiology Department

Telephone: 613-632-1111, extension 51201
Fax: 613-636-6178

Address

HGH – Main Campus
1111 Ghislain Street
Hawkesbury, ON K6A 3G5

The Cardiology Clinic is located in Block A, Level 1. View the hospital plan.

Patient information Sheet

• Ambulatory Electrocardiogram – Holter Monitor (PDF)

External resources

• For more information about health, heart disease and diagnostic tests, visit Heart and Stoke Foundation.
• For information about lung health, diseases and research, visit The Lung Association.

Referring a un patient for a Holter test at HGH

To refer a patient, download the exam request form, fill it out and fax it to 613-636-6175.

• Ambulatory Care Consultation Request CLI-11-3011 v3 (PDF)
• Cardiac Diagnosis CLI- 05-3004 v8 (PDF)

Appointment booking line: 1-800-790-8870, extension 82500

The Hawkesbury and District General Hospital (HGH) provides more than 40 specialized medical clinics for residents of Prescott-Russell and surrounding region. For a list of clinics, departments and services, visit Refer a patient.