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Heart-rhythm problems, like atrial fibrillation, affect people from all walks of life – including the rich and famous. Find out how well-known performers, politicians and athletes were diagnosed.
Cardiac telemetry is continuous monitoring of a patient's heart rate and rhythm that takes place at a remote location, classically a nursing station in a special ward. This service is offered to patients recovering from heart events, those who may be at risk of heart events, and individuals experiencing ongoing heart problems. Some hospitals have specialized wards for cardiac telemetry, recognizing how common heart problems are, while others may offer it as part of an array of telemetry services or as part of the standard of care in intensive and critical care units.
In telemetry, data is collected in one location and transmitted to another. In the case of cardiac monitoring, the patient wears electrodes on the chest that are attached to leads and a telemetry transmitter. The transmitter sends signals to a monitoring station, where they can be watched by nurses and cardiologists. Wearing a portable transmitter allows patients to be mobile, as long as the signal stays in range of the monitoring station.
When a patient is admitted to the hospital with heart problems, cardiac telemetry may be recommended as part of the standard of care. Using telemetry, patients can be monitored continuously and unobtrusively by nurses. If a patient develops problems, the monitoring staff can respond quickly, and abnormalities and arrhythmias can also be be noted and brought to the attention of a cardiologist, who can use this information in diagnosis and treatment.