NEWS Health News Word of the Week: Non-Invasive By Team Verywell Health Updated on July 28, 2022 Fact checked Verywell Health content is rigorously reviewed by a team of qualified and experienced fact checkers. Fact checkers review articles for factual accuracy, relevance, and timeliness. We rely on the most current and reputable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the bottom of each article. Content is fact checked after it has been edited and before publication. Learn more. by Heather Mercer Fact checked by Heather Mercer Heather Mercer is native to Northwest Ohio (go Walleye!) and graduated from Loma Linda University with two doctorate degrees (psychology and public health). She is currently a professor at Owens Community College, as well as a fact-checker for Verywell Health. She has gained experience in a variety of settings, ranging from corporate wellness and preventive medicine, to mental health, chronic disease, and end-of-life care. Learn about our editorial process Share Tweet Email Print Alex Dos Diaz / Verywell Each week, Verywell explains a term from health, medicine, science, or technology. How to say it: Non-invasive (non-in-VAY-siv) What it means: Not going inside or not spreading. Where it comes from: From Latin, non = not and invādere, "to go into." cottonbro/Pexels Where you might see or hear it: If you have to have a test, your provider might tell you that it is non-invasive. This means that you do not need to have anything put inside your body. There also won't be any needles used or cuts made. An example of a non-invasive test is a simple X-ray to look at your bones. When you might want to use it: If you have a heart condition, your doctor might want you to wear a device called a Holter monitor for a day or two. While it looks a bit unusual with all the wires, a Holter monitor is a noninvasive way to check on your heart. If your loved ones are a bit worried when they see you wearing it, you could reassure them by explaining that it doesn't hurt. The device is measuring your heart through electrodes that are placed on your skin with a sticker. You did not need to have any injections or cuts. What Happens When You Wear a Holter Monitor? Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Merriam-Webster. Definition of invasive. Merriam-Webster. Definition of non. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit