What distinguishes an event monitor from a Holter monitor?

An event monitor is specifically designed for longer-term use, typically operated over a period of 14 to 30 days. This device allows patients to record symptoms as they occur, particularly in daily life, and measures heart activity during those episodes. This usage is especially beneficial for identifying irregular heartbeats or cardiac events that do not happen continuously or frequently enough to be captured by a Holter monitor.

In contrast, a Holter monitor is used for a shorter duration, usually 24 to 48 hours, and continuously records heart activity during that timeframe, making it ideal for monitoring heart rhythms that occur over a short period. Additionally, event monitors are often programmed for the patient to activate when they experience symptoms, rather than being continuously monitored or activated by healthcare providers, which aligns with understanding the spontaneous nature of irregular heart rhythms.

Focusing on sleep patterns is not a primary function of either monitoring device; instead, both are used to assess heart rhythms during daily activities and symptomatic episodes. Therefore, the distinction of the event monitor's longer term usage and symptomatic activation accurately sets it apart from the Holter monitor's continuous recording in the short term.