What Is Cardiac Telemetry?

Telemetry is a technology that allows measurements to be made at a distance, via radio wave or IP network transmission and reception of the information. Telemetry information over wire had its origins in the 19th century.

Cardiac Telemetry comes in handy in monitoring a patient's heart rate and rhythm which takes place at a distant location, typically a nursing station in a cardiac telemetry area. They are used as patient monitoring machines. This technique is used to monitor patients recovering from heart surgeries, patients who may be at risk of heart problems, and patients experiencing health difficulties relating to the heart. Some hospitals have dedicated cardiac telemetry service since heart problems are a common situation in current times. When the patient is admitted, he or she undergoes a meticulous medical history and physical exam as well as an ECG and important cardiovascular exam. Based on the results obtained, the patient is registered into a Telemetry Monitoring Rehabilitation Program. Cardiac telemetry identifies AF in cryptogenic stroke. Telemetry is also one of the main features of any coronary care unit.

In Telemetry, data is collected in one place and is transmitted further. While in Cardiac Telemetry, the patient wears electrodes on the upper body which are connected to leads and a telemetry transmitter. The transmitter sends signals to an observation post, where it can be monitored by nurses and doctors who specialize in cardiology. As long as the signal stays in range of the monitoring station, patients can be mobile and move around as they please. It is quite a painless device although it can be slightly uncomfortable to wear the electrodes, and patients need to be conscious of the leads, and bringing loose connections and wires to the attention of the nurses and attendants.
 
Cardiac Telemetry may be recommended as part of the standard of care, when a heart patient is admitted into the hospital or goes into an intensive care unit. Using telemetry, patients can be monitored constantly and discreetly by nurses. If a patient develops problems, the monitoring staff can respond quickly, problems, abnormalities and arrhythmias can also be noted immediately and brought to the attention of a cardiologist, who then uses this vital information for a diagnosis and treatment. Cardiac Telemetry plays a vital role in the life and is extremely beneficial to any heart patient, as it brings together all the relevant information that a cardiologist will need for a diagnosis.
Additionally, Cardiac Telemetry monitored rehab ensures that a patient's cardiac well-being is being endlessly monitored while they are engaging in any physical rehab.