Physiological monitoring can be provided through a wearable monitor (12) that includes a flexible extended wear electrode patch (15) and a removable reusable monitor recorder (14). A pair of flexile wires (61, 71) is interlaced or sewn into a flexible backing (20), serving as electrode signal pickup and electrode circuit traces. The monitor (12) sits centrally on the patient's chest along the sternum (13), which significantly improves the ability to sense cutaneously cardiac electric signals, particularly those generated by the atrium. To counter the dislodgment due to compressional and torsional forces, non-irritating adhesive (43) is provided on the underside, or contact, surface of the electrode patch (15), but only on the distal (30) and proximal ends (31). Interlacing the flexile wires (61, 71) into the flexile backing (20) also provides structural support and malleability against compressional, tensile and torsional forces.