Why is an ECG required?

Why is an ECG required?

by Pavitra Sampath

One of the most common symptoms of heart disease is chest pain. Consider this, you suffer from mild chest pain and go to your doctor who promptly orders an ECG. While the chest pain could make you nervous, know that an ECG is an absolutely basic test and  one of the simplest ones out there. In this post, we explain when an ECG is required, the procedure and what the results could mean.
 

When is an ECG required?
 A doctor may advise an ECG if a patient is experiencing symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting or has palpitations. Some common conditions that are diagnosed using this method are arrhythmias, myocarditis, enlargement of the heart etc.  While, most heart related conditions can be diagnosed or identified by an ECG but some conditions like irregular heart beats  or angina might not show any significant change in your ECG readings. Read Take the natural route to heart health – home remedies that work!

In order to catch the conditions that might escape detection, there are some modifications to an ECG that can help diagnose them. One is known as a stress test, where your heart rate is monitored using an ECG while you are asked to walk or run on a treadmill. The other kind is the holter ECG. This is where you are hooked up to a portable ECG machine, that regularly checks your heart rate while you are performing your daily activities. 

The procedure is quick, painless and doesn't require hospitalization
The technician will attach a few electrodes to your chest after applying a conductive gel that helps them pick up the electric impulses from your heart. Usually the  electrodes are kept stationary during the test but in some cases they may be moved around in order to facilitate a more accurate reading. You will be asked to lie down on a bed placed in the ECG room, after which the technician will proceed to placing electrodes to your chest in order to start the test. In some cases you may be required to change into a hospital gown. It takes about ten to fifteen minutes for a doctor to take the test and the results are seen on a sheet that is printed out from the machine. Read ten life saving tests you should take.

Dos and don'ts during an ECG

In order to undergo an ECG there are a few things you should be prepared for. If you are a man, the technician may need to shave a part of your chest hair in order to attach the electrodes to your skin. If you are a woman you will require to remove your jewellery before the procedure. You will also be given a gown to wear which will cover your chest partially during the procedure.

As a precaution, if you are on any medication for heart disease, it is best to discuss with your doctor about stopping the drug a few hours before the procedure in order to get accurate readings. In some cases your doctor may want to place the electrodes on your feet and arms, be prepared and avoid wearing socks during the procedure.

What do the readings mean?

Although it is complex to understand what these waves actually mean, there are a few things you can find out about your readings.

If your heart beats are lower than 60 beats per minute it means that you might be suffering from a condition that is causing your heart rate to slow down drastically, like CAD (Coronary Artery Disease), myocarditis, myocardial infarction etc.  Other conditions like thyroid imbalances, electrolyte depletion or certain heart medication that can also cause a drop in one's heart rate.
If your heart beats too fast, that is anything above 100 beats per minute, it signifies conditions like defects in one of the valves of the heart or other conditions like hypertension, stress etc. This is also known as tachycardia.
Finally, an ECG is the first step in diagnosing an abnormality with the heart, but there are further more advanced tests that might be required to reach an accurate diagnosis. Just remember to relax and not get too nervous about the test, the more relaxed you are the better your results will be. 

For more articles on diseases and conditions, check out our diseases & conditions section and for videos, check out our YouTube Channel. 

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