Introduction
We have arranged for you to have a King of Hearts heart
recording performed. You may find it helpful to read the
following notes about the procedure.
This information is of particular importance for your
physician!
You will also be asked to record when you go to bed, when you
get up and what medication you are taking and when.
Sending patients home with recorders in position is common
practice in a hospital. It gives a much better idea of what is
happening with your heart rhythm during your day-to-day activity
and allows to link your symptoms to ECG trace.
When you are confident that you will be able to do this, you will
be able to go home. The initial visit takes approximately 15
minutes, and you will be given a time when you must return
to have the recorder removed. This visit will last approximately
5 minutes.
Please bring a list of your medication including dosage with
you.
The Test
You will come to the department on the day of the test and will
be greeted by a member of staff. The technician will introduce
herself to you and take you into the room where the test is to be
performed. She will ask you to take some of your clothing off
above the waist and to sit down. She will stick either 1 pad onto
your chest, another on the back of your neck or two pads onto
your chest and the recorder will be connected to both. This will
pick up your heart beating.
The technician will ask you to press the button in the middle of
the recorder if you get any symptoms and then to try and relax
for approximately 30 seconds until the recording is finished.
You will be given a diary card. When you get home, you need to
record any symptoms you have, the date and the exact time
you had them (including whether it is am or pm) and what you
were doing before the symptoms and if the event was
recorded. This is helpful when playing through the recording to
compare your symptoms with what your heart is actually doing.
For those patients who come by ambulance it may be possible
for the ambulance driver to pick up the recorder from your home
so that you do not have to come in yourself. If you would like this
to happen, the recorder must be removed by either yourself
or a relative. The technician will explain how to do this.
Should you have any worries about the procedure the
technicians will be only too pleased to discuss them with you.
If you have a pacemaker fitted please bring your pacemaker
identification with you.
Complications
There are no known risks with this investigation. Although we
use non- allergic stickers, some patients, occasionally, may
experience some itching underneath the tab. This is nothing to
worry about but if it becomes a problem, please contact the
department for advice
After The Test
The recording will be played through and a report sent to the
doctor who requested the test.
Cancellations
We have many patients waiting for these examinations. If you
cannot keep your appointment it is very important that you let us
know, so that another person can be offered that slot. Please
phone us on 0161 746 2352. We try our best to make your stay
as short and as comfortable as possible.
Comments
We are always trying to improve the service to our patients. If
you have any comments or suggestions at any time during your
visit, or after you have left the department we will be delighted to
discuss them with you.
Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust has a no smoking policy
How to get there
The hospital is situated on Moorside Road in Davyhulme.
Parking is available at the front of the hospital, and is free of
charge for 3 hours. You may find it more convenient to use the
parking at the rear of the hospital, by driving via Moorside Road,
past the staff car park barrier to the car park at Pathology. You
may also use the pick up and drop off point at the endoscopy unit
on the right as you go past the staff car park barrier. You will find
the department first on the left as you enter the main hospital
through this door. Please note: vehicles found illegally parked
within the hospital ground are wheel clamped and are subject to
a release fee.
Several buses serve the hospital. For up to date information on
bus routes serving the hospital contact Greater Manchester
Transport Executive on 0161 228 7811.
CARDIO-RESPIRATORY
INVESTIGATIONS UNIT
5 DAY ECG LOOP MONITORING
(KOH)
Patient Information Leaflet