Abstract: An external physiological monitor continuously senses and monitors cardiac function of a patient to allow detection of cardiac events and the recording of data and signals pre- and post-event. The monitor is connected to and suspended on the patient's body solely by the electrode assembly. Stored diagnostic data may be uplinked and evaluated by the patient's physician utilizing a programmer via a two-way telemetry link. An external patient activator may optionally allow the patient, or other care provider to manually activate the recording of diagnostic data.