Investigations

When a person presents with the symptoms of arrhythmia certain investigations are likely to be carried out to determine the type, nature and frequency of the arrhythmia. These are: -

• Blood tests and chest x rays may be taken,
• Electrocardiogram (ECG) - at rest and possibly during an exercise test,
• 24 - hour monitor, which may be done as an outpatient, when a 24 hour (ambulatory) Holter monitor should be used. (Longer running ECGs may be more helpful as some arrhythmias occur only occasionally.),
• A patient - activated recorder may be used, when the patient turns on the recorder, (at the particular time when experiencing the sensation of palpitations) to record what is happening at these particular times,
• Electrophysiological Studies (EPS) may be done to find out where the focus of irregularity is, inside the heart, but not many are done in this country at present,
• Implantable Recorder which records the rate of the heart for 6 months.