Digital illustration of a heart intertwined with a Holter monitor, symbolizing heart health monitoring in hypertensive and diabetic patients.

Holter Monitor Insights: What Hypertensive and Diabetic Patients Need to Know

Author's portrait.
Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Decoding Heart Arrhythmias: A Nigerian Study Reveals Key Indicators for Hypertensive and Diabetic Individuals Using 24-Hour Holter ECG Monitoring"


Hypertension and diabetes are significant health challenges globally, and Nigeria is no exception. These conditions often coexist and can lead to severe cardiovascular complications, including heart arrhythmias. Detecting these arrhythmias early is crucial for effective management and improved patient outcomes.

A Holter monitor, or ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG), is a vital tool for identifying heart rhythm abnormalities that may not be apparent during a routine ECG. This device continuously records the heart's electrical activity over 24 hours or longer, capturing intermittent arrhythmias and providing a comprehensive view of heart function. Understanding the role and findings of Holter monitoring is particularly important for individuals with hypertension and diabetes.

This article delves into a study conducted at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) in Ile-Ife, Nigeria, which investigated the use of 24-hour Holter ECGs in hypertensive and diabetic patients. The research aimed to evaluate the indications for Holter monitoring, identify common arrhythmic patterns, and assess heart rate variability (HRV) in these patients. By exploring the study's findings, we can gain valuable insights into managing cardiovascular health in individuals with these conditions.

Why is Holter Monitoring Important for Hypertensive and Diabetic Patients?

Digital illustration of a heart intertwined with a Holter monitor, symbolizing heart health monitoring in hypertensive and diabetic patients.

The Nigerian study involved 79 patients, including those with hypertensive heart disease (HHD) with and without heart failure and those with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Researchers used a Schiller type (MT-101) Holter ECG machine to continuously monitor heart activity over a 24-hour period.

The results revealed several key findings:

  • Common Indications: The most frequent reason for Holter monitoring was palpitation (38%), followed by syncope (20.3%).
  • Arrhythmic Patterns: Premature ventricular contraction (PVC) was the most common arrhythmia observed, especially among patients with hypertensive heart failure (HHF).
  • Heart Rate Variability (HRV): HRV, measured by the standard deviation of all normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN), was significantly reduced in T2DM patients compared to those with HHD without heart failure.
  • Correlation between T2DM Duration and HRV: There was a negative correlation between the duration of T2DM and HRV, indicating that longer duration of diabetes is associated with reduced HRV.
These findings highlight the importance of Holter monitoring in identifying and understanding heart rhythm abnormalities in hypertensive and diabetic patients. The reduced HRV in T2DM patients, along with its correlation to the duration of diabetes, underscores the impact of diabetes on cardiac autonomic function.

Takeaways for Managing Your Heart Health

Understanding the insights from the Nigerian study can empower hypertensive and diabetic patients to take proactive steps in managing their heart health. Regular check-ups, including Holter monitoring when recommended by your healthcare provider, can help detect and manage arrhythmias early. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, controlling blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and adhering to prescribed medications are crucial for reducing cardiovascular risks and improving overall well-being.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

1

What is a Holter monitor, and why is it used?

A Holter monitor is a portable device that continuously records the heart's electrical activity over an extended period, typically 24 hours or longer. It is used to detect heart rhythm abnormalities, such as arrhythmias, that may not be evident during a standard electrocardiogram (ECG). The significance lies in its ability to capture intermittent or infrequent heart events, providing a more comprehensive assessment of heart function.

2

Why is using a Holter monitor important for people who have hypertension or diabetes?

For individuals with hypertension and diabetes, Holter monitoring plays a crucial role in identifying cardiovascular complications early on. Hypertension and diabetes can lead to heart rhythm disturbances, and the Holter monitor can detect these abnormalities. Early detection allows for timely intervention, such as medication adjustments or lifestyle changes, which can improve patient outcomes and prevent more severe cardiovascular events.

3

What are the most common reasons a doctor might order a Holter monitor test?

The most common indications for Holter monitoring are palpitations and syncope. Palpitations are feelings of a rapid, fluttering, or pounding heart, while syncope is a temporary loss of consciousness, often due to reduced blood flow to the brain. The presence of these symptoms may suggest underlying heart rhythm abnormalities that require further investigation with a Holter monitor to determine the cause.

4

What are premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), and what do they mean if found on a Holter monitor?

Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) are extra heartbeats that originate in the ventricles, the lower chambers of the heart. They are a common type of arrhythmia detected by Holter monitors. While occasional PVCs may be harmless, frequent or complex PVCs can indicate an underlying heart condition, especially in individuals with hypertensive heart failure (HHF). The presence of PVCs may warrant further evaluation and treatment to prevent potential complications.

5

What is heart rate variability (HRV), and why is it important to measure?

Heart rate variability (HRV) refers to the variation in time intervals between consecutive heartbeats. It is a measure of the heart's ability to respond to various physiological and environmental stimuli. Reduced HRV is often associated with impaired cardiac autonomic function and can be an indicator of cardiovascular risk, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The correlation between the duration of diabetes and reduced HRV suggests that long-term diabetes can negatively impact heart function.

Newsletter Subscribe

Subscribe to get the latest articles and insights directly in your inbox.