Private 'at home' ECG monitoring
Cardiac ECG monitoring is a recording of your heart rate and rhythm (ECG) over a prolonged period of time while you go about your daily life. It is often referred to as Ambulatory monitoring.
How do I choose the duration of the monitor?
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24 hours of monitoring
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Covers 1 x night
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Good for frequent symptoms
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£255.00
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48 hours of monitoring
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Covers 2 x nights
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Good for frequent symptoms
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£265.00
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7-days of monitoring
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Covers 7 x nights
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Good for infrequent symptoms
£325.00
Deciding on the duration of the heart monitor depends how often you are experiencing symptoms, daily or frequent symptoms we advise either a 24 hour or 48 hour monitor, If your symptoms are less frequent, we advise on a 7 day monitor.
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On our booking form we will ask you to give us as much information about your symptoms as possible, for example, how often you get them and how long do they last. We will then look at the information and if we feel that you have booked the wrong duration for your monitor, we will contact you and advise you on the best duration of ambulatory monitoring to most likely record the arrhythmias you have been experiencing.
A resting ECG records the same information but for only approximately 10 seconds. Where a resting ECG can reveal a lot of information about your heart, when it comes to arrhythmias (abnormal rhythms of the heart), the resting ECG is often not always sufficient to make a diagnosis. This is because heart rhythm disturbances often occur infrequently and may last only for very brief periods of time.
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A resting ECG, or even several ECG’s taken at different times, are likely to miss these fleeting arrhythmias. This is when ambulatory ECG monitoring is used as it records your heart over a much longer period of time.
​Fitting your ambulatory ECG device
Our patch devices are very easy to fit yourself, with easy-to-use instructions. The device will be sent to your home address via our courier service, we will pre-arrange a date that suits you. Once you have worn the device it will then be collected by the courier and returned for analysis.
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You can watch a short video here on how your patch is fitted: myPatch Help - CardioScan UK
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If you are unsure about fitting the device and would prefer our Physiologists to do it, please tell us when you book your appointment, we will organise an appointment for you to attend one of our clinics. We will give you instructions on how to remove it and then arrange for our courier to collect the device from your home, where it will be returned for analysis.
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If you need additional support for any reason or because you speak a different language and will require an interpreter please let us know when you book your appointment. If you would like support from a friend, relative, or carer we are more than happy for them to attend the appointment with you
If patients choose to have the monitor fitted at one our our clinics and need us to provide a chaperone or require a physiologist of a particular gender, please call us and we will arrange a suitable appointment.
For any questions or advice please email us via our contact us form or call us on 01332 315778.
Why do I need ambulatory ECG monitoring?
An ambulatory ECG monitor is a thorough and safe way to evaluate and assess the rhythm of your heart. You may require one for any (but not inclusive) of the following reasons:
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Syncope (blackouts)
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Near syncope
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Sudden light-headedness
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Recurrent palpitations (extra heart beats)
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To assess how effective an ablation procedure has been for treating atrial fibrillation or other arrhythmias.
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To screen for potentially dangerous arrhythmias in people with conditions known to produce such arrhythmias, such as long QT syndrome, Brugada syndrome, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
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To look for episodes of asymptomatic atrial fibrillation in people who have suffered a stroke of unknown cause (a cryptogenic stroke)
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You may also have self-referred yourself for ambulatory ECG monitoring, this could be for any of the above reasons, or you may just want reassurance that your heart is healthy as part of your own health and well-being.
Before fitting your device
Very little or no preparation is required before fitting the device. The only thing we ask is that you do not put any moisturising lotions or oils on your chest the day that you are going to fit the device, this may affect how well the patch of the device sticks to your chest. If you have chest hair, we will need you to shave this area prior to attaching the patch, this also maximises how well the device sticks to your chest.
Continue to take all your medications unless you have been instructed by your referring doctor otherwise. You can still shower with the device on, the only thing you cannot do while wearing the device is bathe or any activity that would immerse the device in water for a longer period of time.
How will I get my results?
Once your device has been returned the data will be analysed. The results will be emailed to your referring clinician. If you have self-referred for this test, both yourself and GP will receive a copy.
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Returning via courier - results in up to 5 working days.
Returning at a clinic - results in up to 3 working days.
Unforeseen Circumstances
On very rare occasions due to unforeseen circumstances, it may be necessary to cancel your appointment at short notice due to matters outside our control. We want to reassure you that a member of the team will be in contact with you at the earliest opportunity should we need to cancel your appointment to inform you and rebook.