Event & Holter Monitor Placement

Advanced Heart Rhythm Monitoring to Diagnose Irregular Heartbeats

Heart rhythm problems don’t always happen while you’re sitting in a doctor’s office. In fact, many patients experience heart palpitations, dizziness, skipped beats, or episodes of rapid heartbeat that come and go throughout the day. By the time you arrive for an appointment, your heart rhythm may have returned to normal, making diagnosis difficult.

At Cardiology First, Dr. Van Adamson uses Holter Monitors and Event Monitors to continuously record your heart’s electrical activity while you go about your normal daily routine. These advanced monitoring devices provide valuable information that helps identify abnormal heart rhythms, determine the cause of your symptoms, and guide personalized treatment plans.

Serving patients throughout New Braunfels, Schertz, Cibolo, Seguin, San Marcos, Garden Ridge, Selma, Universal City, and surrounding communities, Cardiology First is committed to providing advanced diagnostic testing with compassionate, patient-centered care.

If you’ve been experiencing unexplained heart symptoms, long-term heart rhythm monitoring may provide the answers you’ve been looking for.

What Is Heart Rhythm Monitoring?

Heart rhythm monitoring is a non-invasive diagnostic method that continuously records your heart’s electrical activity over an extended period of time.

Unlike a standard electrocardiogram (EKG), which records only a few seconds of heart activity, wearable monitors capture your heart rhythm for days or even weeks while you continue your normal daily activities.

This allows Dr. Adamson to detect intermittent heart rhythm abnormalities that may not occur during a routine office visit.

Why Your Doctor May Recommend a Holter or Event Monitor

If you’ve experienced symptoms that occur unexpectedly or only occasionally, continuous heart monitoring may help identify the underlying cause.

Dr. Van Adamson may recommend monitoring if you experience:

Heart palpitations
Racing heartbeat
Irregular heartbeat
Skipped heartbeats
Dizziness
Lightheadedness
Fainting
Near-fainting episodes
Unexplained fatigue
Shortness of breath
Chest discomfort
Monitoring after treatment for arrhythmias
Evaluation following a stroke
Assessment after medication changes

Because many rhythm disturbances are unpredictable, longer monitoring periods often provide more accurate diagnoses.

What Is a Holter Monitor?

A Holter Monitor is a small, portable device that continuously records every heartbeat for 24 to 48 hours.

Small adhesive electrodes are placed on your chest and connected to the monitor, which you wear throughout your normal daily routine.

Unlike an EKG performed in the office, a Holter Monitor records your heart while you:

Walk
Sleep
Exercise
Work
Climb stairs
Perform everyday activities

Because recording is continuous, Holter Monitors are especially useful when symptoms occur daily.

What Is an Event Monitor?

An Event Monitor works differently.

Instead of recording continuously, it records heart rhythms when symptoms occur or when the device detects certain abnormal rhythms.

Patients typically wear an Event Monitor for two to four weeks, making it especially useful for symptoms that occur less frequently.

This allows physicians to evaluate:

Occasional palpitations
Sporadic dizziness
Intermittent fainting
Rare episodes of rapid heartbeat
Unexplained weakness

Event Monitors provide a much longer observation period than Holter Monitors.

What’s the Difference Between a Holter Monitor and an Event Monitor?

Although both devices evaluate heart rhythm, they serve different purposes.

Holter Monitor

Best for:

Daily symptoms
Continuous recording
24–48-hour monitoring
Frequent irregular heartbeats

Event Monitor

Best for:

Occasional symptoms
Longer monitoring periods
Symptoms occurring weekly or monthly
Intermittent arrhythmias

Dr. Adamson will recommend the monitor that best matches your symptoms and medical history.

Conditions These Monitors Can Detect

Heart rhythm monitoring helps diagnose many cardiovascular conditions, including:

Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)

One of the most common abnormal heart rhythms, AFib increases the risk of stroke and heart failure if left untreated.

Bradycardia

An unusually slow heart rate that may cause fatigue, dizziness, or fainting.

Tachycardia

Episodes where the heart beats faster than normal.

Premature Heartbeats

Extra beats originating in the upper or lower chambers of the heart.

Although often harmless, frequent premature beats sometimes require treatment.

Heart Block

Electrical signals traveling through the heart may become delayed or blocked.

Monitoring helps determine whether additional treatment is necessary.

Unexplained Fainting

Continuous monitoring often identifies rhythm disturbances responsible for episodes of fainting or near-fainting.

What to Expect During Monitor Placement

Placing a Holter or Event Monitor is quick, painless, and performed in the office.

During your visit:

Small adhesive electrodes are placed on your chest.
Electrodes connect to a lightweight recording device.
You’ll receive instructions on wearing the monitor.
Our team explains how to record symptoms and activities.

Placement usually takes less than 30 minutes.

Living With Your Monitor

One of the advantages of heart rhythm monitoring is that you continue your normal routine.

Patients are encouraged to:

Walk
Work
Exercise (if approved)
Sleep normally
Perform daily activities

You may be asked to keep a diary documenting:

Symptoms
Activity level
Time symptoms occurred
Medications taken

Matching symptoms with heart rhythm recordings helps improve diagnostic accuracy.

After Monitoring Is Complete

Once the monitoring period ends:

The device is returned to Cardiology First.
The recordings are downloaded and analyzed.
Dr. Adamson reviews every heartbeat captured during the study.
Results are discussed during your follow-up appointment.

This detailed evaluation allows us to determine whether an abnormal heart rhythm is causing your symptoms.

Personalized Treatment Based on Your Results

If monitoring identifies an abnormal rhythm, Dr. Adamson develops a personalized treatment plan designed specifically for your condition.

Treatment may include:

Medication adjustments
Blood pressure management
Lifestyle modifications
Blood-thinning medication
Additional cardiac imaging
Referral to an electrophysiology specialist if appropriate
Implantable Loop Recorder evaluation for long-term monitoring
Routine follow-up care

Every recommendation is tailored to your overall health and long-term cardiovascular goals.

The Importance of Early Diagnosis

Many heart rhythm disorders can be successfully treated when diagnosed early.

Without proper evaluation, untreated arrhythmias may increase the risk of:

Stroke
Heart failure
Falls
Syncope (fainting)
Cardiomyopathy
Reduced quality of life

Advanced monitoring allows Dr. Adamson to identify problems early and begin appropriate treatment before complications occur.

Why Choose Cardiology First?

Patients throughout New Braunfels choose Dr. Van Adamson because of his commitment to personalized, compassionate cardiovascular care.

At Cardiology First, you’ll receive:

Comprehensive rhythm evaluations
Advanced diagnostic technology
Holter and Event Monitor placement
Individualized treatment plans
Preventive cardiovascular care
Thorough patient education
Long-term follow-up
A physician who listens and takes time to answer your questions

Our mission is to help every patient understand their heart health and receive the highest level of cardiovascular care possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is wearing a Holter Monitor painful?

No. The monitor is completely painless. Small adhesive electrodes are placed on your chest and connected to a lightweight recording device.

Can I sleep while wearing the monitor?

Yes. You’ll wear the monitor while sleeping so it can record your heart rhythm around the clock.

Can I shower?

Your care team will provide instructions based on the type of monitor you’re wearing. Many monitors should not be submerged or exposed to water.

How long will I wear the monitor?

Holter Monitors are typically worn for 24 to 48 hours, while Event Monitors are often worn for two to four weeks.

Will I receive my results immediately?

After the monitoring period is complete, Dr. Adamson carefully reviews the recordings and discusses the findings and treatment recommendations during your follow-up appointment.

Schedule Heart Rhythm Monitoring in New Braunfels

If you’re experiencing heart palpitations, dizziness, fainting, or an irregular heartbeat, don’t ignore your symptoms. Advanced heart rhythm monitoring can help identify the cause and guide the treatment you need.

At Cardiology First, Dr. Van Adamson combines advanced diagnostic technology with compassionate, personalized cardiovascular care to help patients achieve better heart health and peace of mind.

Contact Cardiology First Today

Dr. Van Adamson, MD
Cardiology First

📞 Phone: (210) 767-2549

🌐 Website: www.CardiologyFirstClinic.com

Proudly serving patients throughout New Braunfels, Schertz, Cibolo, Seguin, San Marcos, Garden Ridge, Selma, Universal City, and surrounding South Texas communities with expert heart rhythm monitoring and comprehensive cardiovascular care. Schedule your appointment today to learn how Holter and Event Monitoring can help protect your heart.