Holter, ABP and ECG

Our Pathology is able to provide timely, accurate and affordable cardiac monitoring services through our designated patient collection centres. This service can sometimes be difficult to navigate, so we have provided information about each test and the steps on the testing process below.

What is Ambulatory Blood Pressure (ABP) monitoring?

Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) monitoring involves measuring your blood pressure (BP) at regular intervals (usually every 20–30 minutes) over a 24 hour period while you undergo normal daily activities, including sleep.

The portable monitor is worn on a belt, connected to a cuff on the upper arm and uses an oscillometric technique to detect systolic, diastolic and average blood pressure as well as heart rate. When complete, the device is connected to a computer that prepares a report of the 24 hours, day time, night time, and sleep/wake times (if recorded), average systolic and diastolic BP and heart rate.

What is Holter monitoring?

‍A Holter monitor is a small, wearable device that records your heart rhythm. You usually wear a Holter monitor for 12 hours to 24 hours. During that time, the device will record the rhythm of your heart.

A Holter monitor is a small, wearable device that records your heart rhythm. You usually wear a Holter monitor for 12 hours to 24 hours. During that time, the device will record the rhythm of your heart.

Your doctor may also order a Holter monitor if you have a heart condition that increases your risk of an abnormal heart rhythm, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Your doctor may suggest you wear a Holter monitor for a day, even if you haven’t had any symptoms of an abnormal heartbeat.

What is Electrocardiogram (ECG) reporting?

An electrocardiogram is used to monitor your heart. Each beat of your heart is triggered by an electrical impulse generated from cells in the upper right chamber of your heart. An electrocardiogram (called an ECG) tracks and records these electrical signals as they travel through your heart.

The recording is called a trace. Your doctor can use the trace to look for patterns among these heartbeats and rhythms to diagnose various heart conditions. An electrocardiogram is a non-invasive, painless test.

How to access cardiac monitoring services

STEP 1

Get a request form

A referral by your treating doctor or specialist cardiologist is required. The request form from your doctor will list which cardiac service is required: Blood Pressure monitoring, Holter monitoring or Electrocardiogram.

STEP 2

Book an appointment

An appointment is required as these services are only provided at specific patient collection centres. To locate your nearest collection centre able to perform the test go to our Collection Centre Search and select the relevant test under ‘Any Test’ drop down menu.

Contact your closest collection centre from the results, preferably by phone, to schedule an appointment.

Preparing for your test

Find a location

STEP 3

Visit a collection centre

Please arrive on time for your appointment at the collection centre where you will be fitted for your device. At this appointment, you will be given a certain time to return the following day to have the device removed.

STEP 4

Return to the collection centre

Once your monitoring period is over, do not remove the device. Please return to the collection centre where the device was fitted, at the time specified during the fitting, and our team will remove the device. Ensure any equipment provided to you is returned whole, along with any relevant paperwork.

Once the monitoring device has been removed, you are free to resume your normal everyday activities. Our cardiologists will review the data from the monitor and will report the results back to your treating doctor directly. These results are normally available to your doctor within 24 to 48 hours.

Cardiac monitoring services: Holter, ABP and ECG