PitkäaikaisEKG

PitkäaikaisEKG, also known as Holter monitoring or ambulatory electrocardiography, is a non-invasive diagnostic test used to record the electrical activity of the heart over an extended period, typically 24 to 48 hours, but sometimes up to several weeks. This differs from a standard, short-term ECG which only captures a few minutes of heart rhythm. The purpose of PitkäaikaisEKG is to detect intermittent cardiac arrhythmias or ischemic events that might not be apparent during a brief, resting ECG.

The procedure involves attaching electrodes to the chest that are connected to a small, portable recording device. The patient then carries on with their normal daily activities, including sleeping and exercising, while the device continuously monitors and records their heart rhythm. Patients are usually instructed to keep a diary of their symptoms, noting when they experience palpitations, dizziness, chest pain, or shortness of breath, and the time of these occurrences. This diary allows healthcare professionals to correlate any recorded abnormalities with the patient's subjective experiences.

After the monitoring period, the recording device is returned to the clinic, and the data is analyzed by a cardiologist or technician. The analysis helps identify any irregular heartbeats, pauses, or signs of reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. PitkäaikaisEKG is a valuable tool in diagnosing conditions such as atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, tachycardia, and silent ischemia, aiding in the appropriate management and treatment of various heart conditions.