If there is a history of heart conditions in the family, you might have become acquainted with automated external defibrillators, commonly known as AEDs. Essentially, there are several different kinds of AED monitors, each designed for a specific objective and function.
The different types of AED monitors can be used in different settings and serve multiple purposes. Whether you are a responsible employer looking after the workspace safety of your employees or a manager of a public space, such as a restaurant or a gym, having an AED on the premises allows you to respond swiftly in case of an emergency. Whenever a medical emergency in the range of sudden cardiac arrest occurs, with an AED on hand, you will be able to act within seconds and save a life.
Before anything else, you should be looking for an AED that’s FDA-approved, affordable, easy to use, dependable, and endorsed by the Red Cross.
Explaining the Different Types of AED Monitors
Whether you live in Dallas, Mississippi, Utah, or Florida, enrolling in an AED/CPR class will help you make the right decision when choosing between the different types of AED monitors since there is more to it than just having an AED.
An AED is used to aid an individual suffering a sudden cardiac arrest. In essence, an AED is a smart device that is both sophisticated and simple to use, making it accessible for anyone to operate.
When used, an AED will evaluate the heart rhythm of the cardiac arrest victim and administer an electrical shock, if deemed necessary. The electrical shock to the heart, known as defibrillation, jump-starts the heart to restore a heartbeat.
When choosing among the different types of AED monitors, it is important to define why you are purchasing one. Is it something your doctor suggested because of a heart condition you have? Do you need it for your home or the office? Answering these questions will lead you to the best AED monitor for your needs.
ECG Monitors
ECG monitors are one of the different types of AED monitors primarily used in hospital and medical settings, but you can also have one at home. These ECG monitors are not high-end, expensive devices like professional-grade ECG monitors; on the contrary, they are affordable and user-friendly.
As portable monitors, ECG monitors are to be used whenever a person’s heart needs constant monitoring for cardiac irregularities. Sometimes, ECG monitors are used together with a stress test to yield a more current diagnosis.
ECG monitors calculate the heart’s electrical activity, and not just the heart rate. In that context, they give doctors a clearer insight into your cardiac health. The main characteristic of ECG monitors is that they only collect data and are not equipped to administer an electrical shock.
Heart Rate Monitors
A heart rate monitor (HRM) is a medical device that continuously detects and tracks heart rates. The majority of these devices are wearable and are generally highly accurate. If your doctor recommends wearing an HRM, it is probably due to a specific medical need or a heart condition.
HRMs are essential medical tools that are standard-issue devices whether you’re in New York, Plano, Dallas, or Washington. HRMs help monitor your overall health and allow your doctor insight into your heart rate while doing everyday activities or exercises. Whether you run, jog, powerwalk, or play basketball, wearing these monitors on your wrist detects your heart rate under any circumstances that strain the body.
Cardiac Event Monitors
A cardiac monitor is another medical tool that records a heartbeat. As a small piece of medical equipment, people can either wear or carry a cardiac monitor. While wearing it, the device detects and records your cardiac activity for your doctor to review whenever needed.
Cardiac monitors are very similar to EKGs (electrocardiograms), in that they collect the same type of information without being bulky or static. Wearable cardiac monitors are battery-operated, so changing the batteries regularly is vital to ensuring their performance and getting accurate results.
Your doctor might prescribe a cardiac monitor if you experience some of the following symptoms:
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- Unexplained fainting;
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- Dizziness;
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- Low blood pressure;
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- Persisting fatigue;
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- Palpitations, and more.
A heart monitor might be recommended whenever someone experiences fainting without an apparent reason; their heart beats too fast or too slow or skips a beat. Plus, anyone who experiences shortness of breath and chest pain not caused by exercise might need to wear a cardiac monitor.
Arrhythmia Monitors
Arrhythmia monitors are among the different types of AED monitors that the Red Cross suggests wearing in case of infrequent arrhythmias. You might know these monitors by the name Holter monitors.
Holter monitors are wearable medical devices that are more detailed than ECGs. Similar to ECGs, Holter monitors have patches of electrodes that stick to the person’s chest without needing surgery or subcutaneous implantation. Depending on the severity of your condition, your doctor might ask you to wear the arrhythmia monitor for a few days, even as you sleep.
Although these types of monitors do not deliver electric shocks to the heart, the information they detect and collect means a great deal to doctors in determining the right diagnosis and treatment.
Generally, wearing a Holter monitor does not pose significant risks. However, certain devices have the potential to interfere with the signal transmission between the electrodes and the monitor. It is advisable to refrain from using electric blankets, microwave ovens, or metal detectors and to keep a 6-inch distance between a cell phone and the Holter monitor.
Multifunction Monitors
Multifunction monitors are AED monitors that have the capacity to perform all of the activities in the previously mentioned monitors. Standard AEDs are called multifunction monitors because they monitor the heart rate, detect arrhythmia, follow the heartbeat, and track the electrical activity of the heart.
You can find multifunction monitors anywhere in the US and count on them to deliver accurate and reliable results wherever you are located. Multifunction monitors are recommended for use by the Red Cross, the AHA (American Heart Association), and the NSC (National Safety Council) for several reasons. Notably, they are simple to use, work on voice commands, show graphics, and are efficient.
If a person is near a CSA victim and doesn’t know how to help them due to a lack of CPR training, the presence of an AED on-site can be invaluable. The device will guide them through the CPR steps, both visually and audibly, and enable them to provide life-saving measures.
What to Consider About the Different Types of AED Monitors?
Before buying an AED, you should know the purpose and the goals you are trying to achieve. When you establish that, you should examine other factors, including:
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- The cost of the device;
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- The level of reliability of the device;
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- The ease of use;
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- Language support;
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- The status display;
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- The energy consumption;
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- Primary use: pediatric or adult;
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- Maintenance requirements, and more.
AED & CPR: Two Lifesaving Acronyms Everyone Should Know
According to the American College of Cardiology, sudden cardiac arrest is a common occurrence among young athletes, which is why many households in the U.S. have made a decision to purchase an AED for home use.
While cardiac arrests can happen to all age groups, races, and occupations, some are more prone to it than others. In the event of an SCA, being trained and certified to perform CPR can make a significant difference. And if the emergency is more serious, AEDs can offer additional help. Enrolling in a CPR/AED class near you will help you join the community of people that save lives.
Key Takeaway: The Different Types of AED Monitors
Regardless of whether you’re in Idaho, Fort Worth, Los Angeles, or Dallas, operating an AED is the same everywhere. Every reliable health institution in the US, like the Red Cross, the AHA, and the ESC, advocates for public-access AEDs that can save a life in seconds.
The reason there are several different AED types is that they serve different purposes: some are to be worn constantly to monitor a serious condition with a person’s heart rate, while others are suggested for use to monitor an irregular heartbeat. There are ECG monitors, heart rate monitors (HRM), cardiac event monitors, arrhythmia monitors, aka Holter monitors, and multifunction monitors or AEDs.
The world is thankful these lifesaving devices exist; without them, the sudden cardiac arrest deaths we consider high today would be even greater.