ECG or an electrocardiogram is a diagnostic test that measures and records the activity of your heart. It can show your cardiologist if there is any abnormality in its physique or functioning
How Does ECG Work?
The electrodes in an ECG machine detect the electric pulses generated in your heart. This data is fed to a monitor where it appears like a graph. This recording is usually printed in paper and handed to you or your doctor for assessment.
Who Needs An ECG?
ECG can be advised to detect or rule out the possibility of any heart condition. You may need an ECG screening if you are experiencing the following symptoms:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Palpitations
- History of prior heart condition or surgery
ECGs are also recommended as a part of routine physical exams, especially in people are obese or suffer from high BP or diabetes. Doctors use ECG to diagnose if you have any of the following conditions:
- Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
- Damage to the heart muscle
- Heart attack
- Problems with the heart valves
- Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis)
- Congenital heart defects
- Blocked or narrowed arteries (coronary artery disease)
ECGs are often also a part of routine examination before any surgery or starting a new medication that can potentially affect your heart.
How Is An ECG Done?
Before you go for an ECG, you may be asked to refrain from drinking any coffee or alcohol or anything that can stress out your heart. When you reach the diagnostic center, you will need to remove all your upper garments in privacy where only you and the technician will work. At this point, let the technician know if you have any implanted devices in the chest. You may also need to remove all metals and jewelry from your body. At times, they may also shave your chest hair, if any. And then the ECG will begin.
You lie down on a surface. Small and sticky electrode patches will be pressed on your chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes read your heart’s activity and record it in the ECG machine. You can keep breathing normally as the test goes on for a few minutes. The technician will guide you to move your position a few times so that s/he can take proper readings.
Once the technician has all the data as directed by your cardiologist, s/he will remove the electrodes and you can get dressed and leave. It is an absolutely painless procedure. The stickiness of the patches can be mildly discomforting, but that is all!
You can collect the test results on a later date and give it to your doctor for assessment.