ECG

What is ECG?

Electrocardiogram (ECG) represents a simple test used to check heart rhythm and cardiac activity. Signals sent by your heart are recorded by a machine using electrodes, and the doctor reviews them to see if they prove normal.

ECG may be requested by a cardiologist or any doctor suspecting heart problems, including your general practitioner. Health workers specially trained can perform the test in hospital, clinic, or office. Echocardiogram, despite similar name, differs from ECG.

ECG can be used together with other tests to diagnose and monitor all conditions affecting the heart. It may be used to investigate symptoms of potential cardiac problems, such as chest pain, dizziness, or shortness of breath.

ECG can help detect: arrhythmias – where heart beats too slow, too fast, or irregularly, coronary heart disease – where blood flow to heart becomes blocked or interrupted by fatty substance buildup, heart attack – when blood flow to heart suddenly becomes blocked, cardiomyopathy – where heart walls become thickened or enlarged.

It also proves used to monitor person already diagnosed with cardiac disease or taking medications known to potentially affect the heart.

Are There Risks or Side Effects?

ECG represents a quick, safe, and painless test. No electrical energy enters your body during procedure. Some minor discomfort may occur when electrodes removed from skin – similar to removing adhesive bandage – and some people may develop mild rash where electrodes attached.

What Does the Test Involve and What ECG Types Exist?

Several different ways exist to perform ECG. Test involves attaching series of small, sticky sensors called electrodes to your chest, arms, and legs. Sensors connect via wires to ECG recording machine. No special preparation needed for test; you can eat and drink normally. Before electrodes attached, you usually need to remove upper clothing, and chest may need shaving or cleaning. Test itself usually lasts only few minutes, and you should be able to go home quickly afterward or return to ward if already in hospital.

Three main ECG types exist:

• Resting ECG – performed while lying in comfortable position,

• Stress or exercise ECG – performed while using exercise bike or treadmill,

• Ambulatory ECG (sometimes called Holter) – electrodes connect to small portable device worn on waist so your heart monitored at home for one or more days.

ECG recording machine usually displays your heart rhythm and cardiac activity as graph shown electronically or printed on paper.