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Electrocardiogram

An electrocardiogram captures the electrical activity of the heart. It is a periodic examination that causes no discomfort and is used to identify cardiac issues and keep track of heart health.

Usage of electrocardiogram 

An electrocardiogram is frequently used with other tests to diagnose and monitor heart-related diseases.

One undertakes ECG to look into signs of a possible cardiac condition, like chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, and shortness of breath.

Using an ECG, you can identify:

  • Arrhythmia: If the heart beats too swiftly, too slowly, or irregularly.
  • Coronary heart disease: Can build up fatty substances, disrupting or blocking the heart’s blood flow.
  • Heart attack.
  • Cardiomyopathy: Heart wall thickening or enlargement 

Keep an eye on someone who has previously been given a heart diagnosis or is taking medicine shown to have possible adverse effects on the heart; you can take a series of ECGs over time.

Usage of electrocardiogram

Electrocardiogram procedure

There are numerous methods for performing. Typically, the test entails placing multiple tiny, sticky electrodes on your arms, legs, and chest. These get wired up to an ECG recording device.

You’ll typically need to take off your tops before the electrodes, and your chest might need to be cleaned or shaved. You might be allowed to cover yourself with a hospital gown once the electrodes are in place.

The actual test typically only takes a few minutes.

Results after an electrocardiogram 

Your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity will typically be presented as a graph on an electronic display or recorded on paper by an ECG recording machine.

When the test is over, the ECG equipment will electronically store the results so that a doctor can view them.

The ECG results may not be available right away. A specialist needs to examine the recordings to determine whether there are any indications of a potential issue. Before it is feasible to inform you whether there is a problem, additional testing may be required.

Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022