Factors Your Doctor Will Consider – Insertable Cardiac Monitor

While some causes of unexplained fainting are harmless, others may be serious. Heart-related causes, including abnormal heart rhythms, are among the most serious causes of fainting.

An insertable cardiac monitor observes the heart’s activity 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for up to 3 years. Your doctor can use this information to help determine if the cause of your unexplained fainting may be related to an abnormal heart rhythm. Once the doctor has this information, he or she can decide which treatment option is most appropriate for you.

If your doctor suspects a heart condition is causing your fainting, one or several diagnostic tests may be used to gather information about your heart before an insertable cardiac monitor is recommended.

Although many patients benefit from the use of an insertable cardiac monitor, results may vary. Your doctor can help you decide if it’s right for you.

Next: Your Healthcare Team

Your Healthcare Team

The causes of fainting are varied. So too are the medical specialists who might need to diagnose your fainting spells. Your doctor or GP may refer you to a specialist for more evaluation. These doctors will communicate with your primary care doctor in helping to determine the cause of your unexplained fainting.

Be prepared to discuss the specifics of your fainting spells with your doctor and any specialists with whom you meet. Specialists you might see include:

• Cardiologist – A doctor who specialises in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases in the heart and blood vessels
• Electrophysiologist – A cardiologist who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal heartbeats, including when the heart beats too fast, too slow, or in a way that inefficiently pumps blood
• Neurologist – A doctor who specialises in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of disorders in the brain and nervous system

It’s important to talk to members of your healthcare team about the tests and procedures they recommend. Discuss any concerns you have and ask questions if you don’t fully understand something.

Next: Surgery: What to Expect

Surgery: What to Expect – Implanting an Insertable Cardiac Monitor

The Procedure

Implanting an insertable cardiac monitor typically involves a simple procedure. The cardiac monitor is inserted just beneath the skin in the upper chest area. 

After the Procedure

At first there may be some minor discomfort near the incision site. Your doctor or nurse will give you instructions about at-home care following your implant. These may include advice about lifting, checking the incision site, activity levels in the first few weeks, and how to use the hand-held patient activator and the MyCareLink Patient Monitor.