An ambulatory electrocardiogram records the electrical activity of your heart when you perform usual activities. Many heart problems can be detected during your daily activities. These activities include, eating, exercise, sex, stress, bowel movements, or sleeping. It is required to have 24 hours heart beat recording to detect the abnormal heart beats.

It is used when the abnormal heart rhythms do not occur frequently. It can be used for a longer period as compared to the continuous recorder. Two types of intermittent recorders are available, loop recorder and event recorder. Loop recorder constantly measures your heart beats. You have to press the button on the monitor to have record of your heat rhythm when you feel the symptoms.

Event recorders are used only at the time of the occurrence of the symptoms. In this method machine is not attached to your body. Instead of this you will either wear a worn on the wrist like a watch or carry a device in your purse or pocket. When symptoms occur you have to switch on the button of worn watch or press the back of device against your chest and press the button to start the recording.

Continuous recorder test includes strapping of the battery monitor on your shoulder around your waist. Electrodes attached to your chest detect the electrical signals from your heart. There is a clock attached to monitor which records the time of symptoms.