ELECTROCARDIOGRAM

Cardium Advanced Heart Care Clinic | Heart Hospital in Mumbai > ELECTROCARDIOGRAM

ELECTROCARDIOGRAM

An electrocardiogram also is known as ECG, is a test that tracks and records the electrical activity of the heart.

The patients will be asked by our junior doctor to lie down. Theyl will attach electrodes which are small patches which stick to your chest and some leads are attached to ankles and wrist. It may be required to shave some hair so the electrodes stick to the skin firmly.

The electrodes are jointly connected by wires to a machine that turns the heart’s electrical signals into curvy lines, which are mostly printed on paper specifically designed for carrying the test. Through the curvy line printed on the paper, the cardiologist or a trained doctor reviews the test results.

Electrocardiogram
The patient is advised to remain still during the process. The health care professional may also ask the patient to grasp their breath for a few seconds as the test process is being conducted

It is recommended for the patient to be relaxed and easy during an ECG test process since any movement, which includes shivering, can change the results

Cardiologist in Mumbai - Dr. Rahul Gupta

How to Prepare for the Test

Do’s

  • 1. One must ensure that healthcare professional conducting the test is well aware of the medications consumed by the patient as some medicines can alter the test results delivered from the ECG.
  • 2. Stay relaxed

Don’t

  • 1. Ensure the patient does not involve in any physical activity like exercise
  • 2. Do not drink cold water immediately before an ECG
  • 3. Do not hide any medical details from your healthcare provider

Not following the above three actions these actions may lead to wrong results

Why is the ECG Test is Performed?

The test is performed to measure and understand :

1. Damages in the heart

2. To monitor the heartbeat rate and if the heart is beating normally or abnormally

3. To understand and monitor the effect of a particular medication or medical device & equipment ( like a                         pacemaker, TAVR , Stents etc ) used to control the heart

4. The size, location and position of the heart chambers and valves

An ECG is the first test done by the healthcare professional to understand if the patient has a heart disease. Your doctor may require you to get this test done in a case:

  • The patient has chest pain or dealing with palpitations
  • The patient is scheduled for a surgery
  • The patient has had heart problems in the past
  • The patient has a strong history of heart disease running in the family