How long is a Holter monitor typically worn to monitor heart activity?

A Holter monitor is designed to continuously record the heart's electrical activity over an extended period to capture any irregularities that may not show up during a standard ECG. Typically, it is worn for 24 hours, allowing for an adequate assessment of the heart's rhythm during the patient's normal daily activities. This duration is ideal because it balances the need to gather comprehensive data while being practical for patients to wear the device. Monitoring beyond 24 hours may provide more data but could also lead to discomfort or inconvenience for the wearer, making the 24-hour duration the standard practice in many clinical settings.