Fainting without warning. Heart palpitations that come and go. A stroke with no clear explanation. These experiences are unsettling, and even more frustrating when test after test comes back inconclusive.
Standard monitors worn for a day or two often miss the problem simply because irregular rhythms are unpredictable. An implantable loop recorder (ILR) is a device that changes the equation by continuously monitoring your heart for up to three years, giving your physician the long-term picture needed to find real answers.
At Valley Heart & Rhythm in Tarzana, Dr. Menachem Wakslak is a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist who brings subspecialty precision and a genuinely personal approach to every patient. He and his team are committed to getting you the answers you need to make confident, informed decisions about your heart health.
What Is an Implantable Loop Recorder?
An implantable loop recorder is a small cardiac monitoring device, roughly the size of a large paper clip, placed just beneath the skin of the chest through a minor procedure. It continuously records your heart’s electrical activity and is designed to detect arrhythmias, atrial fibrillation, and other rhythm abnormalities over an extended period.
Unlike external monitors worn for a few days, an ILR works around the clock. It wirelessly transmits data to your care team, enabling remote monitoring without repeated office visits.
Who May Benefit From an Implantable Loop Recorder?
An ILR may be the right diagnostic tool if you have experienced any of the following:
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Unexplained fainting (syncope) or near-fainting episodes
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Recurring palpitations that have not been captured on shorter-term monitors
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A cryptogenic stroke, meaning a stroke with no identified cause
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Suspected atrial fibrillation that standard testing has not confirmed
Dr. Wakslak reviews your complete history before recommending an ILR. The goal is always the right diagnostic approach for your specific situation, not a one-size-fits-all protocol.
The Implantable Loop Recorder Procedure
The procedure is minimally invasive and is typically performed in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. A small incision is made in the chest, the device is inserted just beneath the skin, and the incision is closed with a few sutures or adhesive strips.
The entire procedure usually takes under 30 minutes, and most patients return to their normal routine within a day.
Living With an Implantable Loop Recorder
Once in place, the device works quietly in the background. You will not feel it functioning, and it does not interfere with most daily activities. The ILR transmits data wirelessly, and Dr. Wakslak and his team review your recordings on an ongoing basis.
If a significant rhythm abnormality is detected, we will contact you promptly. Remote monitoring is one of the most valuable aspects of this technology. Your heart is being watched continuously, even between visits.
Why Choose Valley Heart & Rhythm for Implantable Loop Recorder Services in Tarzana, CA?
Dr. Wakslak has cared for patients in the San Fernando Valley since 2012, with training at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Maimonides Medical Center, and the University of Rochester Medical Center. His subspecialty focus in cardiac electrophysiology means that implantable loop recorders, remote monitoring, and the full range of diagnostic and treatment decisions are deeply within his expertise.
Valley Heart & Rhythm was built intentionally small. Every patient is known by name, and every clinical decision is made by the same physician who knows your full story. There are no rotating providers, no handoffs, and no assembly-line scheduling. When your ILR transmits data, it reaches a team that actually knows you, led by the electrophysiologist who placed the device. That continuity matters when you are waiting for answers about your heart.
Real Answers for Your Heart in Tarzana, CA
Unexplained heart symptoms deserve more than guesswork and waiting. An implantable loop recorder provides Dr. Wakslak with the long-term data he needs to find answers and develop a plan that fits your life.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Wakslak and his team at Valley Heart & Rhythm, call (818) 724-8000. The practice is located in Tarzana, CA, and serves patients throughout the San Fernando Valley.
