6 Things I Wish I’d Known About Having a Heart Monitor
by |
If you’re like me and have been closely monitored by a cardiologist for one reason or another (mine is tachycardia and cardiomyopathy), then you probably have or will have a heart monitor. A Holter heart monitor is a device that is used to record your heart’s activity. You may have to wear it for any amount of time spanning from 24 hours to 30 days, depending on your condition and what your doctor is checking.
My heart monitor. (Courtesy of Leah Leilani)
Just a couple of months ago, I had to wear a 30-day one because I was experiencing more frequent tachycardic episodes. There’s a lot to know about having a heart monitor, some of which a regular nurse wouldn’t know. So I thought I’d share some of those things with you.
1. Use lotion to remove adhesive. Lotion is the easiest way to remove the adhesive on your skin left from the stickers that connect to the electrodes. It is also the least irritating for your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin like me. Let the lotion sink into your skin before wiping of the adhesive with some tissue paper.
2. Do not put on lotion while stickers are on your skin. I’ve learned that putting lotion near the stickers while wearing them will cause the stickers to lift because of the lotion being absorbed by your skin.
Join our MD forums: an online community especially for patients with Muscular Atrophy.
3. Hypoallergenic stickers don’t stick. As I said, I have very sensitive skin. As great as hypoallergenic stickers sound, they won’t stay on. I lost a couple of nights of valuable sleep because the monitor vibrates every time one of the electrodes is coming off. That brings me to the next tip.
4. Turn off the monitor while sleeping. Unless your doctor says otherwise, it is OK to turn the monitor off while you sleep, if it is constantly bothering you. If you don’t want to do this, I would recommend putting the monitor on a cushioned surface to prevent the vibration of the device from waking you.
5. Contact the company for extra supplies. If needed, you can always contact the company that made the monitor for extra stickers and batteries.
6. Send back your monitor. Once you’ve mailed the monitor back to the company, don’t be surprised if it sends you a notice saying that it has not received it. You may even get a bill telling you that you must pay for the missing device. Ask your doctor for a copy of the recordings taken from the monitor and mail it to the company as proof that the monitor was returned.
Having a heart monitor isn’t fun, but if the health of your heart is to benefit, in my opinion, it’s worth it. Stay positive and know that you’re not alone. I, along with many others, have been or are currently going through the same thing.
***
Note: Muscular Dystrophy News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Muscular Dystrophy News or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to muscular dystrophy.Â
About the Author
Comments
Paula
thank you for the information. I have to get one tomorrow
Leah Leilani
I’m sorry to hear that. I hope some of my tips will be helpful.
dustin
how much did it cost after insurance?
Leah Leilani
I am not sure. I believe my insurance covered it.
Jen
I just received a bill for my returned BioTel monitor through Cardionet, LLC. My insurance was billed $7,500 with an adjustment of -$6,665 leaving my out of pocket expense to be $835. I have Cigna insurance. My monitor was ordered and used for 7 days. I was told I was paying for 30 days regardless of the time my doctor requested. Yikes, I did not expect such a large bill. Not great for my heart!
Kathryn
When mailing the monitor back, ask for a proof of mailing receipt. There is no charge and you will have it to show it was sent.
Leah Leilani
This is a great piece of advice. This will definitely help other people who get a heart monitor.
Michelle
What does the numbers mean on the monitor I have seen 17 to 39.
Thanks
Michelle
Leah Leilani
Michelle,
There are many different types of heart monitors. I’m not sure what the numbers could mean. Maybe it’s the number of arrhythmias it has detected?
Eleanor Hutchinson
Thank you so much for the information. I get one this wee.
Leah Leilani
I hope everything went well with your monitor! I hope my article was helpful in some way.
Debbie
A tracking number from the postal service and a signed receipt showing the date it was delivered is my best advice.
Leah Leilani
This most definitely an important tip. Thank you for commenting!
Sheryl
I will be scheduling my monitor for 30 days, I swim several times a week at the pool and can be there up to 4 hours. Will this be an issue? It's summer time in AZ. No way to avoid the pool and I shower daily. This is already causing me undue stress and I don't even have the monitor yet. I feel like this will impact my already high BP negatively. I have insomnia and am claustrophobic so really not looking forward to this, however, I know it's necessary for my long term health. I guess I'm asking how hard it is to put on and take off electrodes, wires, etc. Not to mention how it all looks with tank tops and sleeveless shirts at work. Thank you for sharing
Leah Leilani
Sheryl, all your concerns are valid things to think about. I am an extremely light sleeper but the monitor is easy to get used to after a couple days. Once you get the monitor your physician will provide you with the stickers that attach to the electrodes. They may not give you the extra sticky ones but I would suggest asking for them or calling the company so you can get some. They can last through showers but I would suggest taking of the entire monitor in the shower or for swimming. Depending on which monitor you get, there is a good possibility it will be seen if you’re wearing a shirt with a lower neckline. There’s no need to stress about it. 30 days will go by very quick.
Taryn Brenner
I got my 30 day one yesterday and I can shower and swim(down to a 3 foot depth) in it.
It doesn’t look like the one she got. Mine is simply a sticker stuck in the middle of my chest with a small waterproof monitoring attached to the sticker itself. There aren’t any visible wires and all you have to do is switch out only the monitoring unit for the other(you get two) when the first one has a low battery(after 24 hours my first monitoring unit is at 80% so you don’t have to swap units frequently and they provide a USB to double mini-USB charging cable with plug to charge the phone and other unit) and you need to change the sticker once a week(they gave me 4 so I have a spare.) You also receive a cell phone that you should keep within 10 feet of you at all times, but if you can’t, once you get to the phone it’ll send everything it recorded while you were away from it. You can also use the app settings to put it on Do Not Disturb at night so it won’t bother you.
There are several different types of monitors so it really depends on what model your doctor uses as to which kind you’ll get. The one I’m using is called the Body Guardian Mini Plus.
I will say there are two versions of the one I received, one has the electrodes and wires and the other is the one I’m using. Both are waterproof and good down to 3 ft and have the cell phone with app so you can set it to Do Not Disturb during nights or any other time you can’t be disturbed(like church, work, etc) since the phone is what sends you alerts of loose connections or the unit getting a low battery, not the unit on your chest itself. You also can’t see it under a shirt. Just stay calm, the 30 days will pass by quickly and it’ll be over before you know it.
Krystle Boyer
Exactly the information I was looking for. Thank you.
Leah Leilani
I’m glad I could help!
Gloria Cobb
I have a Rhymstar heart Monitor also, an CPAC machine.
I wonder, wearing this can it cause another problem.
Leah Leilani
I don’t know the answer to that question. That is something you should ask your doctor.
Tracy
Mine beeps says record what does it mean
Leah Leilani
You should ask your doctor or the company that made the monitor.
Carol Dolida
Shane: What is the alternative? I am supposed to get a 30 day monitor on Thursday (dreading it). Is there something else I could use?
Leah Leilani
Ask your doctor or the company that makes your monitor. They may have an alternative for you.
Heather Mundy
I am currently in the middle of my 30 day heart monitor. This morning whenever I went to change the electrode patch (because it was itching underneath), I noticed there were skin bubbles where the center of the electrode lays on the skin. Has anyone else experienced this or know of ways to treat it?
Leah Leilani
Heather,
Your skin is probably a bit irritated from the adhesive. Some lotion should help to keep the area hydrated. Try placing the stickers in a different place every time. That way you won’t be irritating that area of skin further.
CHARLENE RAY
What if I send it back a week or few days earlier???
Anita
My 30 days should be about up, but the monitor says I have 6 days left. Do I still send it in with days left. They did call me to tell me there was a problem with it not recording at one time. Now it seems fixed. I won't be charged for the extra days will I, or should I send it in before the 6 day return time?
Olivia Well
Thanks for this! I just started my 30-day monitor a couple days ago, and I had to take off the stickers for the first time last night. It was so painful! I used warm soapy water like it said on the package, but it was still a brutal experience! I had to scrape off the adhesive left on my skin with my fingernails and washcloth. I’ll definitely try lotion next time.
Eloise Maynor
I was suppose to have already received my monitor, but haven't. Can I put it on myself or should I get help?
Lynn Smith
One thing I have to add, when I got my 30 day monitor the last time, the two gals putting it together clearly were undertrained. They spent a lot of time reading the instructions and couldn't answer some of my questions. As I was leaving, they gave me the number of the company to call in case I had any questions. I came home feeling uneasy about it all being hooked up right. I called the company and found up there were getting NO DATA on me. No trace of me. So they walked me through the steps to get it working. Had I not called I would have worn the thing and entire month with out it registering. So when I go next week for another one, I will not hesitate to make sure the readings are going through. Lastly, I find it odd that if they are trying to do a 24 hour reading on your heart, that you would take it off at night. But if your doctor says it's okay then lucky you. Good luck to all.
DONNA BERTHOLD
Thank you for the info. I was concerned and your upbeat post helped.
Susie bishop
I am on a 7 day event monitor. I told the technician that I have bad experiences with adhesive tape and was told this strip wouldn’t cause any issues. I was told not to remove the tape strips on my chest for the full 7 days. The first night the itching started and got worse and continued for two days. Now it has become quite sensitive and even painful at times. Not sure what to do. I still have two more days to wear this but it is waking me up at night too. Concerned that when this comes off my skin will be a mess. Thoughts?
Linda
Yes! I just took mine off I'm burnt and bruises 3 knots red swallow. My skin is yellow. It's been off 5 hrs now but it's late Sunday night can't call the doctor.
Tracey
I'm wondering if I can sit under a hairdryer like the ones in a hair salon while I have a 30 day monitor on? Or should I take it off for that hour.
Linda
I have worn the min body guardian, 7 days. I took it off tonight before I got in shower. Didn't look at my chest till got out of shower. I have had burning pain ever since they put it on me. I looked at my chest I'm burned all the way down, big bruises and 3 big knots. My skin is yellow now one spot under the device is burnt red. I didn't put it back on. I called them the day I t it put on and told them it was hurting bad burning really bad. But he told me to keep a ring it. It's off and my insides are still burning and pain in chest down left side middle of of back. I'm calling in morning and taking it back. I just pray to God it's done no damage. My heart was find on my ECG before the monitor.
Gabby Reynolds
I’m currently on day 6/14 and it’s itching so badly that it’s hurting and I’ve literally been unable to sleep for the last 2 nights because of it. I’m so tempted to take it off and keep it off until I can call my doctor on Monday morning.
Sharon Stafford
I'm having the same problem. I put Benadryl cream around the edges and it helped tremendously. I have to change out the strip after a week, and my doctor said it was okay to leave it off for a couple of days for my skin to calm down. Check with your doctor to see if you can do the same thing. I'm currently on day 5 of 14 days.
Sharon Stafford
My doctor also recommended I contact the company to see if they have strips for sensitive skin.
TamiA
I have had the Zio one 3 times. All 3times they fell off.I did not use any lotion, deodorant and did not get it wet. I refuse to pay for junk. Tomorrow I am supposed to get a different monitor. Here's hoping.
MARY CHARBONNET
Just to get it clear, do I take off the three electrodes before bathing, then stick them back on afterwards? Mine is a 3-day MoMeKardio monitor with 3 wires. Thanx. PS - I really need a bath!
Sherry ingalls
Can the monitor which is a cell phone be put in a pocket
Natalie
Thank you Heather for your post as I am also experiencing this! Today is 1/23/22 I had this on for 3 days & it has been itchy too. I haven't taken the BioTel MCOT (Kit Name: C6 V2 Combo Vrz/Std) off to charge it yet so I am a bit concerned what my skin will look like. Right now it feels like a liquid filled squishy blister that is only under the electrodes not the adhesive itself. With this unit, it must be placed in the same spot everytime, they give you a card that you place against your collarbone so you can put it in the EXACT same position everytime. Supposed to wear it for 30 days. Will try to update for others when I take it off.
"Heather Mundy
I am currently in the middle of my 30 day heart monitor. This morning whenever I went to change the electrode patch (because it was itching underneath), I noticed there were skin bubbles where the center of the electrode lays on the skin. Has anyone else experienced this or know of ways to treat it?"
Sky
Wearing mine right now. The one I'm using has the worst adhesive ever. They told me to change it once a week, I'm only 5 days in and it's trying to come off and their app keeps saying it can't read. Of course the dang doctors only sent me 3 other adhesive tapes and I'm supposed to go the entire month...
I shouldn't have to call this company to be given extras for JIC moments. It's just ridiculous how Dr Offices work anymore... :\ no logic involved.
Pat
I used to take mine off when swimming. The instruction said you can remove it for up to 6 hours daily without anyone contacting you for a reason it's not on your body. Don't worry. Take it ff when swimming.
Dawn
Sky, it’s not the fault of the doctors office. The monitoring company only provides so many strips with each monitor. The doctors office does not have extras to give you. They must be obtained from the monitoring company. I work in a large cardiology practice and we apply monitors all day every day. All you have to do is make one phone call and extra strips will be sent to you via overnight mail at no additional charge.
linda
The monitor I've had on yesterday and today and it's doesn't stay stuck to skin what can I do I'm not suppose to change it for 7 days how can I keep it attached. They keep notifying me that it isn't attched to skin. this was put on in drs office. This is quite irretating
Steve
I was unfortunate enough to need one of these about a year ago. I found this site as I have now been doing some digging on Biotel. When I returned it, I filmed, one single take, no pauses, packaging up and itemizing EVERYTHING, as I had had issues with the gizmo and had read online Biotel has a running scam of claiming they did not receive equipment back. Between that footage, and UPS delivery numbers, when I did get a large bill claiming they never got the device, I called their bluff and told them I not only had footage of the device being itemized, packed, and sealed, but the tracking number for said package. They backed off. Now recently, a week into 2023, I get a bill for a tad over $900, the bill was dated November 14, the postmark on the envelope Was January 3. They've claimed California Medicare won't cover that $900, which is strange, as I live in Wisconsin and have lived in Wisconsin for a decade now and have never lived in California. The whole things sounds like a giant scam to me. Plus only a couple days after I even got the bill, I started getting dozens of collection calls. Be very careful with Biotel, seems like a big scam operation to me. Plus the device never worked properly, their "Support" line entailed three hours of hold time, just to be told "Eeehhugh" by one of their "Representatives" who then hung up on me.
Deborah Lorentz
So grateful to read these comments. My device is to be worn for thirty days. I, too, have had skin issues. On the other hand, better to go dirty and leave the thing on until one can't. Very damaging to the skin. One other aspect I am aware of and that is not mentioned in the comments so far -- these devices do give off non ionizing radiation. I know that current knowledge says this is not a problem - but for those of you who are young and exposed over many years to computers, cell phones, and medical devices that emit these waves, it is something to think about over time. Just a thought.