Questions to Ask

You may have questions about heart rhythm monitoring, why it is being recommended, and what the information tells you. It may be helpful to write down a list of questions ahead of time. Below are some common questions many patients have:

• Why are you recommending this type of heart monitor over others?
• How will wearing it affect my regular activities at work, caring for my family, being active, or bathing?
• How will the monitor measure my heart rate and rhythm?
• Do I need to press a button or do anything when I have symptoms or does the device automatically record what’s happening with my heart?
• How do I know if the monitor is working?
• Would longer monitoring give us more useful information about my condition?
• How accurate is this type of monitoring? Are there any limitations?
• What are the downsides if we don’t do any monitoring?
• Should I also keep a log of when I feel symptoms and what I was doing at the time? What symptoms are you most interested in knowing about?
• Do I need to avoid magnets or other things that can disrupt the signal between the sensors and the device?
• I’ve heard some monitors that stick to the chest can irritate the skin. What can I do about it?
• What do my results mean?
• Are my palpitations serious or should I try to ignore them? Will I need ongoing monitoring?
• Will my insurance cover monitoring?
• Should I consider using or getting a device that can record an ECG (a smartwatch or other device) more regularly?
• Is there value in using my smartphone or watch to monitor my heart rhythm or heart rate?