A method of optimizing retention of signal information from a physiologically generated digital signal is provided. The method can comprise steps of generating a digital signal from a physiological source, storing the digital signal into a memory location as a stored digital signal, identifying within the stored digital signal a preferred digital signal event exclusive of a non-preferred digital signal event, wherein the preferred digital signal event has a first event compression level and the non-preferred digital signal event has a second event compression level, detecting a memory storage limitation in the memory location, and increasing the second event compression level of the non-preferred digital signal event as a result of detecting a memory storage limitation. Also, the portable monitor can detect the presence of an upload source to which the digital signal can be uploaded in order to minimize the need to compress the signal.