Your heart keeps you moving, living and doing the things you love – but sometimes hidden risks can strike without warning. A stroke can happen suddenly, changing your life in an instant. The good news is that knowing your heart rhythm and spotting problems early can help prevent a stroke before it happens.
An implantable heart monitor, also called a loop recorder, is a small device placed just beneath the skin on your chest. It continuously tracks your heart rhythm, sending data directly to your physician. This allows your doctor to detect irregular heartbeats, such as atrial fibrillation (Afib) – a condition where your heart’s upper and lower chambers beat out of sync, even when there are no symptoms.
Sunshine Borawski, NP, electrophysiology specialist with the HonorHealth Afib Program, explains, “Our goal is to catch problems before they cause serious issues, so you can stay active, independent and in control of your health.”
Stroke: the silent threat
Often called the “silent killer,” strokes occur when blood flow to your brain is blocked or when bleeding occurs in your brain. Sometimes the underlying cause is unknown, but Afib is a common factor. Monitoring your heart rhythm can reveal these hidden risks and provide the information needed to prevent a stroke.
Sunshine adds, “Many people don’t realize they have Afib until a stroke occurs. Early detection through an implantable device gives you a chance to protect yourself and maintain your quality of life.” Considering strokes are the leading cause of disability and the fifth leading cause of death in the U.S., early detection is crucial.
How implantable heart monitors work
Since 2014, implantable heart monitors have allowed continuous heart tracking for up to three years. Smaller and more discreet than traditional Holter monitors, they record heart activity and transmit it directly to a physician.
“Implantable monitors are far more effective than external devices for catching silent, dangerous arrhythmias,” says Sunshine. “Once we identify a problem, we can start treatment immediately to prevent strokes before they happen.”
Once a problem is detected, treatment can begin promptly, helping you stay healthy and confident in your daily life. An implantable heart monitor gives your care team the insights needed to reduce stroke risk and empower you to continue doing the things that matter most.