The long-term ECG is an indispensable diagnostic method in cardiology to detect cardiac arrhythmias that only occur sporadically and cannot be detected in a short resting ECG. At our Kardio Pro practice in Düsseldorf, we use state-of-the-art, compact recorders for the Long-term ECG to record your heartbeat continuously over a period of usually 24 to 72 hours. Dr. Raphael Bruno and his team guarantee careful execution and highly qualified evaluation in order to find the cause of your complaints and provide you with diagnostic certainty.
Why a long-term ECG? Indications and aims of the examination
A standard ECG at rest is like a snapshot - it only shows heart activity for a few seconds. However, many cardiac arrhythmias occur unpredictably and only for a short time. This is exactly where the Long-term ECG, also known as Holter monitoring. It records every single heartbeat over a longer period of time while you go about your usual daily activities. This means that even rare events or events that only occur under certain circumstances can be reliably documented.
A Long-term ECG is recommended by your cardiologist Dr. Raphael Bruno in Düsseldorf in particular for the following symptoms or issues:
The aim is always to link your symptoms to a possible rhythm event and thus make a clear diagnosis.
The long-term ECG at Kardio Pro: the procedure for you as a patient
We want the examination to be as uncomplicated and informative as possible for you. The procedure for a long-term ECG in our Düsseldorf practice is simple and hardly affects your everyday life.
1. putting on the device:
You come to our practice for an agreed appointment. There, several small adhesive electrodes will be attached to specific points on your chest. These electrodes are connected via thin cables to a very small and lightweight recording device. You can wear the device itself comfortably on your belt or inconspicuously under your clothing. The entire procedure only takes about 15 minutes.
2. the recording phase (24 hours):
You then go home and spend the day and night as usual. It is even expressly desired that you go about your normal activities so that we can obtain a realistic picture of your heart rhythm under everyday conditions.
3. the return of the device:
After 24 to 72 hours, you will return to our practice. The device and the electrodes will be removed quickly and painlessly. This concludes the examination for you.
4. the evaluation:
The recorded data is read into our computer and pre-analyzed by special software. Dr. Raphael Bruno then makes a decisive medical assessment, evaluating the results and placing them in the context of your symptoms.
The event log: Your important role during the long-term ECG
While you are using the Long-term ECG your active cooperation is required. You will receive a small log book (or an app function) in which you can enter important events. These notes are invaluable for the evaluation.
Please make a note of key points:
This protocol enables Dr. Bruno to compare your subjective symptoms directly with the objective ECG data. This is the only way to clarify beyond doubt whether your palpitations are actually related to an arrhythmia in the heart. Long-term ECG or whether the dizziness may have another cause.
Long-term ECG analysis: What we can recognize from the data
Analyzing a long-term ECG requires a great deal of experience. Typically, over 100,000 heart actions are analyzed. Dr. Raphael Bruno pays attention to a large number of parameters in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of your heart activity.
The most important aspects of the evaluation include
The results of the Long-term ECG will be explained to you in detail and clearly in a personal meeting.
Behavior during the examination: practical tips
To ensure that the recording of your long-term ECG runs smoothly and the results are of high quality, we have put together a short overview with practical tips.
Situation | What you should do 👍 | What you should avoid 👎 |
Clothing | Wear loose, comfortable tops (e.g. a loose T-shirt). | Avoid tight, constricting clothing or turtlenecks. |
Body care | Wash yourself thoroughly before putting on, but do not apply cream to your upper body. | Showering, bathing or swimming is not possible during the 24-hour period as the appliance must not get wet. |
Everyday life | Go about your normal activities, including work and light sport. | Avoid extreme physical exertion that leads to heavy sweating, as the electrodes could come loose. |
Sleeping | Try to sleep on your back or side to avoid lying directly on the appliance. | Do not sleep on your stomach if this causes the cable to be severely kinked. |
Electrode detaches | Try to carefully press the electrode back onto the skin. Make a note of the incident in the protocol. | Do not pull on the cables and do not attempt to reposition the electrodes yourself. |
Frequently asked questions about the long-term ECG
Here you will find answers to the most common practical questions that patients ask us about the long-term ECG in Düsseldorf.
Can I shower or bathe with the long-term ECG?
No, unfortunately this is not possible. The recorder and the electrodes are not waterproof and would be damaged by contact with water, making the recording unusable. Therefore, please take care of your personal hygiene immediately before putting on the device. For the 24 hours of recording, only a cat wash is possible.
What happens when an electrode comes loose?
If an electrode becomes loose, please try to carefully press it firmly back onto the skin in the same place. If it no longer adheres at all, simply leave it in place. Please make a note of the time in the protocol so that we can record it when evaluating the Long-term ECG know that the signal quality may have been impaired during this period.
Does the long-term ECG interfere with working on the computer or with the cell phone?
No, modern Long-term ECG-devices are insensitive to the electromagnetic fields of common household and office appliances. You can continue to use your cell phone, laptop and other electronic devices as normal without the recording being disturbed. You only need to keep away from strong magnetic fields (e.g. MRI).
What is the best way to sleep with the device?
Most patients quickly find a comfortable sleeping position. We recommend sleeping on your back or side. The small device can be placed next to the pillow so that it does not disturb your sleep. Wearing a T-shirt or pyjama top can help to keep the cables and electrodes in place.
Do I notice anything from the recording?
No, from the actual recording of the Long-term ECG you feel absolutely nothing. The examination is completely passive, no current is conducted into the body. The only thing you will notice is that the small recorder and electrodes are being worn on your skin, but you usually get used to this very quickly.
Can I exercise during the long-term ECG?
Normal physical activity such as walking or cycling is expressly encouraged. However, you should refrain from intensive sport that leads to heavy sweating (such as jogging or going to the gym) during the 24 hours. Heavy sweating can cause the electrodes to come off prematurely and the signal quality to suffer.
Why does the examination usually take exactly 24 hours?
A period of 24 hours has proven to be a good compromise in order to map a representative section of everyday life with a day and a night phase. In this window, there is a high probability of detecting rhythm disturbances that occur less frequently. In special cases, a Long-term ECG but can also be carried out over 48 or 72 hours.
Is it painful to apply the electrodes?
No, attaching the electrodes is completely painless. The skin is simply lightly cleaned with alcohol at the relevant points and possibly gently roughened to ensure good conductivity. Removing the plaster the next day may cause a brief tugging sensation, similar to a normal plaster.
What happens if I forget to enter something in the log?
This is not a bad thing, but the more accurate your log is, the more meaningful the evaluation of your Long-term ECG. In particular, try to note the occurrence of symptoms as soon as possible. If you have forgotten something, don't worry - the purely objective evaluation of the ECG is still possible and valuable.
When will I receive the results of my long-term ECG?
Careful evaluation of the large amount of data from a 24-hour ECG takes some time. As a rule, we arrange a follow-up appointment to discuss the findings as soon as the device is handed in, which usually takes place a few days later. At this appointment, Dr. Raphael Bruno will explain the results to you in detail and discuss the next steps.
Clarity for your heart rhythm: Arrange your appointment
A Long-term ECG is a simple but extremely informative examination to gain clarity about the cause of heart problems. At the Kardio Pro practice in Düsseldorf, we take the time to carry out the examination carefully and provide a well-founded evaluation. If you suffer from symptoms such as palpitations or dizziness, don't hesitate to make an appointment for a comprehensive cardiological examination.
Opening hours:
Tuesday: 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday: 08:00 - 12:00
Thursday: 08:00 - 17:00
Friday: 08:00 - 13:00
Appointments by arrangement.
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