Symptoms that commonly lead to suspicion of arrhythmia are palpitations, syncope, presyncope, or congestive heart failure. The physician must evaluate the patient’s overall status rather than the rhythm disturbance in isolation.

What are the major indications for Holter monitors?

Detection of a suspected rhythm disturbance

Syncope work-up

Evaluation after myocardial infarction

Evaluation of high-risk cardiac patient

Risk stratification

Evaluation after cardiac surgery

Diagnosis of silent ischemia

Diagnosis of suspected myocardial ischemia

Evaluation of therapy, i.e., antiarrhythmic drugs, pacemaker function, cardiac ablation

Evaluation of heart-rate variability