Services
24-Hour ECG & Holter Monitor in Bournemouth & Poole
Some heart rhythm problems only show up now and then, which makes them easy to miss on a single ECG taken in clinic. A 24-hour ECG — also called a Holter monitor — records your heart continuously as you go about your normal day. If you are looking for Holter or ambulatory ECG monitoring in Bournemouth or Poole, Dr Sujata Khambekar arranges the test and reports the recording herself, so the findings are interpreted by a consultant cardiologist in the context of your symptoms.
The principle is simple: by capturing the heart's rhythm over a full day or longer, the monitor catches intermittent events — a burst of palpitations, an irregular rhythm, or pauses — that a brief recording would not see.
What it is and who it is for
A Holter monitor is a small, lightweight recorder connected to a few stickers on your chest. It runs continuously, building a complete picture of your heart rhythm over the recording period. Longer monitoring — over several days or more — can be used when symptoms are less frequent.
Ambulatory ECG monitoring is useful if you have palpitations, dizzy spells, blackouts or unexplained breathlessness, if atrial fibrillation is suspected or being monitored, or if a previous test raised a question about your rhythm. It is also used to check how well a treatment is controlling a known rhythm problem.
Because the recording is reviewed and reported by Dr Khambekar herself, the result is more than a printout — it is interpreted alongside your symptoms, your diary of events and any other tests, to give a meaningful answer.
What to expect
Fitting the monitor is quick and painless. A few electrodes are placed on your chest and connected to the small recorder, which you wear discreetly under your clothes. You are asked to keep a simple diary, noting the time of any symptoms so they can be matched precisely to the rhythm on the recording.
You then carry on with your normal day — working, walking and resting as usual — which is the whole point: the monitor captures your heart during ordinary activity rather than in the artificial calm of a clinic. Most everyday activities are fine, with brief guidance given on keeping the device dry.
When the recording period ends, you simply return the monitor. Dr Khambekar analyses the full recording and explains what it shows — whether that is reassurance that your rhythm is normal, or the identification of a specific issue and a clear plan for what to do next.
Where it is available
Holter and ambulatory ECG monitoring can be fitted and returned at Nuffield Health Bournemouth Hospital, The Harbour Hospital in Poole, and the Dorset Heart Clinic, so you can choose whichever location is most convenient across Bournemouth and Poole. The test is frequently arranged alongside a consultation and an echocardiogram for a complete rhythm-and-structure assessment.
Cost & insurance
Ambulatory ECG monitoring is recognised by all major private medical insurers, who typically issue a pre-authorisation code before the test. Self-paying patients are welcome, and the cost of the monitoring and its consultant report is confirmed up front. See our fees & insurance page for details.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Holter monitor and a standard ECG?
A standard ECG records your heart rhythm for a few seconds in clinic, while a Holter monitor records continuously for 24 hours or longer as you go about your normal life. That makes it far better at catching intermittent problems that a brief recording would miss.
Can I shower or exercise while wearing the monitor?
You can carry on with most normal activities, including light exercise, while wearing the monitor — in fact, staying active helps capture your rhythm during everyday life. The recorder itself should be kept dry, so you will be given simple advice about washing during the recording period.
How long do I need to wear it?
The standard recording is 24 hours, but longer monitoring over several days or more may be recommended if your symptoms are less frequent. The right duration is chosen to give the best chance of capturing your symptoms.
When will I get the results?
Once you return the monitor, the recording is analysed and reported by Dr Khambekar. Because she interprets it herself alongside your symptom diary, the findings can be explained to you clearly and promptly, with any next steps set out.
Related services
Palpitations
Worried about palpitations? See a consultant cardiologist in Poole & Bournemouth. Dr Sujata Khambekar investigates a racing or skipping heartbeat with ECG and rhythm monitoring.
Learn moreAtrial Fibrillation
See an atrial fibrillation (AF) specialist in Dorset. Dr Sujata Khambekar, Consultant Cardiologist, offers prompt diagnosis, stroke-risk assessment and rhythm management. All major insurers.
Learn moreEchocardiogram
Private echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) in Poole & Bournemouth, performed and reported by Dr Sujata Khambekar, Consultant Cardiologist. Prompt appointments, all major insurers.
Learn more