St Vincents Private Hospitals

An implantable loop recorder is a very small electrical device that sits just under the skin, and continuously records your heart rate and rhythm over a long period of time. It is generally used to find the cause of unexplained symptoms such as fainting or palpitations, especially if other tests have returned normal results. When the device recognises some abnormal activity, it automatically starts recording. Patients are also given a hand-held activator that can prompt a recording at any time. The information is sent straight through to your medical team for evaluation.

What does it do?

The implantable loop recorder continuously monitors your heart rate and rhythm. This means that all abnormal activity that occurs without symptoms gets recorded, and it can also be manually prompted to record activity when symptoms do occur. This tells your doctor how your heart is behaving as you go about your daily activities. The implantable loop recorder is typically worn for three to four years, which means it can pick up on any changes that other heart recording devices may miss within a short window of time.

How does it work?

The implantable loop recorder picks up the electrical signals from your heart. It recognises if there is any unusual activity and immediately starts recording. Alternatively, if you experience any symptoms, the recording can be prompted by a manual device or smart phone app. The loop recorder is a useful way to detect abnormal heart rhythms (arrythmias) such as atrial fibrillation that can lead to a stroke and cardiac arrest.