Pacemakers & Defibrillators | Richmond VA
Cardiac Monitoring, Pacemakers & Defibrillators
Cardiac Monitoring
Cardiac Monitoring: Holter Monitors, Event Monitors, and Remote Surveillance
Some heart rhythm problems only show up at certain moments in your day. During a routine office visit, an EKG captures just seconds of your heart’s activity. But if you have been experiencing palpitations, unexplained dizziness, or episodes that come and go without warning, a longer look is often what reveals the answer. Richmond Heart and Vascular Associates uses cardiac monitoring devices to remotely track your heart rhythm over days, weeks, or even years to better understand how your heart is functioning.
Signs
Who Needs Cardiac Monitoring
Cardiac monitoring is ordered when a patient has symptoms that point to a possible arrhythmia but cannot be confirmed with a standard in-office EKG. Common reasons include:
Palpitations, fluttering, or a racing heart sensation
Unexplained fainting or near-fainting episodes
Dizziness or lightheadedness without a clear cause
Evaluation for atrial fibrillation, including patients with a history of stroke
Monitoring after a new AFib diagnosis to assess rhythm control
Routine surveillance following pacemaker or defibrillator implantation
If you have a cardiac device already in place, ongoing monitoring is also part of your standard follow-up care. Remote monitoring lets your care team review device data regularly without requiring a trip to the office for every check.
Understanding Your Condition
Types of Cardiac Monitors
Holter Monitor
A Holter monitor is a portable recording device worn continuously for 24 to 48 hours. During that time, it captures every heartbeat and produces a complete record your care team can review. Holter monitoring is typically the first step when a short-term arrhythmia evaluation is needed.
Extended Event Monitor
When symptoms occur infrequently or unpredictably, a standard 48-hour Holter may not be long enough to capture them. An event monitor can be worn for 30 days or more. It records continuously in the background and stores the specific moments when you activate it in response to symptoms. This extended window significantly increases the likelihood of catching an arrhythmia that would otherwise go undetected.
Implantable Loop Recorder
For patients with very infrequent but serious symptoms, an implantable loop recorder provides continuous monitoring for up to three years. It is a small device placed just beneath the skin of the chest in a brief outpatient procedure. The recorder transmits data wirelessly for ongoing review without requiring you to do anything. It is particularly useful for evaluating unexplained fainting, cryptogenic stroke, and suspected but unconfirmed AFib.
Remote Monitoring for Device Patients
Patients who have received a pacemaker, ICD, or other cardiac device through our Device Clinic continue under active monitoring after their procedure. Remote monitoring technology allows the device to transmit performance data, battery status, and rhythm recordings to our team on a regular schedule. When the transmitted data shows something requiring review or intervention, your care team is alerted and can respond without waiting for your next scheduled appointment.
This approach keeps your care proactive rather than reactive. Issues that would previously have required a separate office visit can often be assessed and addressed based on the transmitted information alone.
What to Expect During Monitoring
The monitoring process itself is straightforward. For many temporary monitors, the device will be mailed directly to your home, along with instructions for wearing the device. You will also receive clear instructions on how to log symptoms during the monitoring period and how to activate the device when needed. At the end of the monitoring period, your care team will review the data and discuss findings with you. Results may confirm a diagnosis, rule one out, or guide the next step in your evaluation.
Why our patients choose us
Why Choose Richmond Heart and Vascular Associates
Schedule Your Cardiac Monitoring Evaluation
If you have been experiencing heart rhythm symptoms or have been referred for a monitoring evaluation, Richmond Heart and Vascular Associates is ready to help. Schedule an appointment online or call Richmond Heart and Vascular Associates at 804.800.6600. Our office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.
- Comprehensive ambulatory monitoring options, from short-term Holter studies to long-term implantable loop recorders, all coordinated through one practice
- Experienced electrophysiology team with focused expertise in arrhythmia detection, diagnosis, and management
- Integrated remote monitoring for device patients that keeps your care team informed between scheduled visits
- Three convenient office locations serving patients across the greater Richmond region, including Chesterfield, Mechanicsville and Hopewell