Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) is a non-invasive diagnostic tool used to measure and record the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time. It helps detect and monitor various cardiac conditions, such as arrhythmias, heart attacks, and other heart abnormalities.
ECG plays a critical role in diagnosing, monitoring, and managing heart health, providing both immediate and long-term insights into cardiac function.
ECG procedure :
The heart generates electrical signals that cause it to contract and pump blood. These electrical signals are detected by electrodes applied to the skin.
The ECG machine then translates the signals into a graph (ECG trace) showing the heart's electrical activity over time.
ECG Components :
P wave - Represents atrial depolarization (contraction of the atria).
QRS complex -Represents ventricular depolarization (contraction of the ventricles).
T wave - Represents ventricular repolarization (relaxation of the ventricles).
PR interval - The time between the onset of the P wave and the QRS complex, indicating the conduction from the atria to the ventricles.
ST segment - The period between ventricular depolarization and repolarization, which can indicate ischemia if abnormal.
Types of ECG :
Resting ECG - Performed while the patient is lying down and relaxed.
Stress ECG - Conducted during exercise to observe heart behavior under stress.
Holter Monitor - A portable ECG device worn for 24-48 hours to monitor heart rhythm over time.
Event Monitor - Similar to Holter but records data only during specific events.
Advantages of ECG :
Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) offers several key benefits in diagnosing, monitoring, and managing heart conditions. Here are the main advantages :
Early Detection of Heart Problems :
Identifies arrhythmias : Detects abnormal heart rhythms like atrial fibrillation or tachycardia. Ischemia and heart attacks: Helps identify poor blood flow (ischemia) and confirms if a heart attack (myocardial infarction) is occurring or has occurred.
Non-invasive and Quick Procedures :
It is painless, non-invasive, and takes only a few minutes to perform.
It can be done in outpatient settings, emergency rooms, or ambulances, offering rapid diagnosis.
Continuous Monitoring through Portable Devices:
Holter monitors and event recorders allow extended ECG monitoring over hours or days, helpful for detecting intermittent symptoms.
Wearables (like smartwatches) with ECG functionality provide real-time monitoring and alerts.
Assessing Heart Health After Treatment or Surgery :
Tracks changes in the heart after surgery or during recovery from a heart attack.
Monitors effectiveness of medications for heart rhythm management.
Evaluating Electrical Activity and Electrolyte Imbalances :
ECGs can detect abnormal electrical conduction, such as bundle branch blocks.
Helps identify electrolyte imbalances (e.g., potassium or calcium levels) that affect heart function.
Screening in High-Risk Populations :
Useful in screening individuals with a family history of cardiac issues or those with risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, or high cholesterol.
Athletes sometimes undergo ECGs to detect hidden heart problems that could lead to sudden cardiac arrest.
Low Cost and Wide Availability :
ECG is a cost-effective diagnostic tool widely available in healthcare facilities worldwide.
When you need an ECG?
You need to do ECG If you experience any of the following symptoms :
Chest pain.
Dizziness, lightheadedness or confusion.
Pounding, skipping or fluttering heartbeat.
Fast pulse.
Shortness of breath.
Weakness or fatigue.
Reduced ability to exercise.
What you can expect :
A hospital or doctor's office can perform an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). Additionally, an ambulance or other emergency vehicle may be used for the test.
Before :
You might be required to change into a hospital gown before to an ECG. Any hair on the area where the electrode patches are applied may be shaved by a member of your healthcare team. The patches adhere to the skin more effectively as a result.
You often lie down on a bed or examination table when you're ready.
During :
Up to twelve sticky patches known as electrodes are affixed to the chest and occasionally the arms or legs during an ECG. Wires connect the patches to a computer. The computer prints or displays results. Results are shown in waves. The signals that pass through the heart with every beating are called waves. You can breathe during the test. But stay still and do not talk. Movement may interfere with the test results.
After :
After an ECG, you can often resume your regular activities unless you have a heart condition that requires emergency care.
Results :
On the same day as the test, your healthcare provider may discuss the electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) results with you. You may occasionally be informed of the results during your subsequent session.
A medical practitioner examines the ECG readings for patterns of heart signals. This provides details about the health of the heart, including:
The heart rate is the number of heart beats per minute. You can find out your heart rate by keeping an eye on your pulse. However, an ECG may be helpful if your pulse is difficult to feel or too irregular to count accurately. Bradycardia, or an unusually slow heart rate, and tachycardia, or an abnormally high heart rate, can be diagnosed using ECG measurements. The interval between each heartbeat is known as the heart's rhythm. It's also the sequence of signals that occur in between beats. Arrhythmias are irregular heartbeats that can be seen on an ECG. Atrial fibrillation (AFib) and atrial flutter are two examples.
A past or present heart attack can be diagnosed with an ECG. A medical specialist can determine which area of the heart is injured by looking at the patterns on the ECG data.
Your care team can determine whether decreased heart blood flow is the source of your chest pain symptoms by performing an ECG while you're experiencing them.
ECG readings can reveal information regarding congenital heart abnormalities, an enlarged heart, and other cardiac disorders.
You might require more testing if the results indicate a change in the heartbeat. For instance, you may undergo an echocardiogram, which is a type of cardiac ultrasonography.