Abstract: An electrocardiographic monitoring and recording device that includes continuous long-term recording with real time evaluation of the incoming data in an evaluation buffer for the occurrence of a clinically significant event. The occurrence of an event meeting programmable parameters causes the data stored in the evaluation buffer (which covers the period of time both before and after the event) to be transferred to a holding buffer and also triggers a patient alert. The patient, thus alerted, can then download the holding buffer via telephone to a central monitoring station. The patient can also manually trigger the transfer of data to the holding buffer. The monitor includes a separate long-term memory for storing up to 12-24 hours of data, which can also be down loaded.