If you have worn a Heart Bug (Holter monitor) or an extended cardiac monitor, your report will include a rhythm distribution summary. This shows the percentage of time your heart spent in a normal rhythm compared with any abnormal rhythms detected during the monitoring period.
A single abnormal beat is different from an abnormal rhythm that is present for a large proportion of the monitoring period. The rhythm distribution summary gives your cardiologist a sense of how much of your recording was spent in normal sinus rhythm versus other patterns, which helps assess the overall significance of any findings.
Your cardiologist reviews the rhythm distribution alongside the rest of your recording, including any symptom diary you kept during the monitoring period, to determine whether findings correlate with what you were experiencing at the time, and whether any further action is needed.
Rhythm distribution is not something you book on its own. It is included as part of the analysis generated from Heart Bug (Holter) monitoring or extended cardiac monitoring. If your GP has referred you for either of these tests, a rhythm distribution summary will already be part of your results.
No. Rhythm distribution is not a standalone test. It is part of the report generated from Heart Bug (Holter) monitoring or extended cardiac monitoring.
A high percentage of time in normal sinus rhythm is generally reassuring, though what is considered normal or significant depends on your individual clinical context. Your cardiologist will interpret your results specifically for you.
The significance of any abnormal rhythm depends on the type of rhythm, how long it lasted, and whether it caused symptoms. Your cardiologist will explain what your specific results mean for you.
If your GP has recommended Heart Bug or extended cardiac monitoring, ask them to send a referral directly to BK Heart.
