At-home Holter monitoring – How to keep an eye on your heart around the clock

What is a long-term ECG – and why is it so important?

A long-term ECG is a test in which the heart's electrical activity is recorded over many hours or even days. While a standard ECG lasts only a few seconds and often fails to capture infrequent cardiac arrhythmias, a long-term ECG can reveal irregular or brief anomalies. Especially for seniors or people with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, identifying changes early can be decisive.

Advantages of a home long-term ECG

In the past, a long-term ECG had to be performed in a doctor's office or hospital using a bulky device. Today, it is much easier thanks to modern health watches.

• More comfort: No tangled cables, just a lightweight watch on your wrist
• More control: Measurements possible at any time – even multiple times a day
• Early detection: Anomalies are identified before serious problems occur
• Better communication: ECG data can be exported as a report and shown to the doctor
• Safety for relatives: Some models offer emergency call functions or data sharing

How does a long-term ECG work with a health watch?

An ECG smartwatch measures electrical heart activity using built-in electrodes. In Kardena watches, this is done via sensors on the back and touch electrodes on the top of the case. To take a measurement, place a finger from your other hand on the electrode and sit still for 30–60 seconds. The watch generates a 1-lead ECG, which is saved in an app. Some models also allow for continuous heart monitoring.

Who is a long-term ECG particularly suitable for?

• Seniors over 60 who want to monitor their heart regularly
• People with known cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation
• Individuals with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or obesity
• Patients after a heart attack or heart surgery
• Athletically active seniors for exercise monitoring

Practical everyday scenarios

• After a walk to check heart activity
• Before going to bed to verify resting values
• In case of sudden heart palpitations for immediate clarification
• As a daily routine in the morning and evening

Advantages for relatives

Many Kardena models allow measurement results to be shared directly with family members. This way, relatives can react quickly if anomalies are detected.

Long-term ECG and doctor's visit – a perfect combination

A home long-term ECG does not replace a doctor's visit, but it is a useful supplement. Changes are detected early, diagnoses are based on real-life everyday values, and treatments can be adjusted more precisely.

Choosing the right watch

A good long-term ECG watch should be easy to use, measure accurately, offer a report function for the doctor, be comfortable to wear, and include additional features such as heart rate alarms or emergency calls. The Kardena® CARE Pro 4 Plus, for example, offers a 1-lead ECG, blood pressure monitoring, sleep analysis, and an SOS emergency call function.

Tips for optimal use

• Regular measurements, e.g., morning and evening
• Sit quietly during the measurement to get accurate values
• Use the app to keep track of all data
• Save reports and bring them to your doctor's appointment
• Set limits for the heart rate alarm

Conclusion – More safety in everyday life

A home long-term ECG is easier today than ever before. With the right watch, you can keep an eye on your heart health at all times – without doctor visits, cables, or hassle. This provides security, boosts confidence, and enables a more active life – especially in old age.