Ewhat Are the Best Practices to Ensure That Ecg Reading Is Accurate

Overview

An electrocardiogram records the electrical signals in your heart. It'south a common and painless test used to rapidly observe heart issues and monitor your center'south wellness.

Electrocardiograms — also called ECGs or EKGs — are oftentimes done in a medico's role, a clinic or a hospital room. ECG machines are standard equipment in operating rooms and ambulances. Some personal devices, such equally smart watches, offer ECG monitoring. Ask your doctor if this is an selection for you.

Types

1. Holter monitor
2. Implantable loop recorder: A middle monitoring device

Why it's done

An electrocardiogram is a painless, noninvasive fashion to help diagnose many common heart bug in people of all ages. Your doctor may use an electrocardiogram to determine or detect:

• Abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmias)
• If blocked or narrowed arteries in your heart (coronary artery disease) are causing chest pain or a centre attack
• Whether you take had a previous heart set on
• How well sure heart disease treatments, such as a pacemaker, are working

You may need an ECG if y'all have any of the following signs and symptoms:

• Chest pain
• Dizziness, lightheadedness or confusion
• Eye palpitations
• Rapid pulse
• Shortness of jiff
• Weakness, fatigue or a decline in ability to exercise

The American Eye Association doesn't recommend using electrocardiograms to assess adults at low run a risk who don't take symptoms. But if you take a family history of center affliction, your doctor may suggest an electrocardiogram as a screening test, even if y'all have no symptoms.

If your symptoms tend to come up and get, they may non be captured during a standard ECG recording. In this case your doctor may recommend remote or continuous ECG monitoring. There are several different types.

• Holter monitor. A Holter monitor is a small, vesture device that records a continuous ECG, usually for 24 to 48 hours.
• Event monitor. This portable device is similar to a Holter monitor, but information technology records but at certain times for a few minutes at a time. Y'all can wear information technology longer than a Holter monitor, typically 30 days. You generally push a button when you feel symptoms. Some devices automatically record when an abnormal rhythm is detected.

ECG on medical helicopter

A patient receives an ECG while on a helicopter for medical ship.

Risks

An electrocardiogram is a safe procedure. There is no risk of electric shock during the test considering the electrodes used do not produce electricity. The electrodes only record the electrical activity of your heart.

You may have minor discomfort, similar to removing a bandage, when the electrodes are removed. Some people develop a slight rash where the patches were placed.

How yous prepare

No special preparations are necessary for a standard electrocardiogram. Tell your doctor nearly any medications and supplements you take. These can oft affect the results of your test.

What you tin can expect

An electrocardiogram can be done in a doctor'due south office or hospital and is often done by a nurse or technician.

Before

Yous may exist asked to modify into a hospital gown. If you have pilus on the parts of your trunk where the electrodes will be placed, the technician may shave the hair so that the patches stick.

In one case you're ready, you'll exist asked to lie on an examining table or bed.

During

During an ECG, upward to 12 sensors (electrodes) will be fastened to your breast and limbs. The electrodes are sticky patches with wires that connect to a monitor. They record the electrical signals that make your centre vanquish. A computer records the information and displays it as waves on a monitor or on paper.

You can exhale normally during the test, simply you volition need to prevarication still. Make sure you're warm and ready to lie however. Moving, talking or shivering may misconstrue the test results. A standard ECG takes a few minutes.

After

Y'all tin can resume your normal activities after your electrocardiogram.

Results

Your physician may discuss your results with you the same day every bit your electrocardiogram or at your side by side appointment.

If your electrocardiogram is normal, you may not need whatsoever other tests. If the results show an aberration with your heart, you may need another ECG or other diagnostic tests, such as an echocardiogram. Handling depends on what's causing your signs and symptoms.

Your md will review the information recorded by the ECG machine and look for whatever problems with your heart, including:

• Heart rate. Normally, heart rate can be measured past checking your pulse. An ECG may be helpful if your pulse is difficult to experience or besides fast or too irregular to count accurately. An ECG tin can help your doctor identify an unusually fast eye rate (tachycardia) or an unusually tiresome heart charge per unit (bradycardia).
• Middle rhythm. An ECG tin can prove heart rhythm irregularities (arrhythmias). These atmospheric condition may occur when any office of the heart'south electrical system malfunctions. In other cases, medications, such as beta blockers, cocaine, amphetamines, and over-the-counter common cold and allergy drugs, can trigger arrhythmias.
• Heart assault. An ECG tin show prove of a previous middle attack or one that'south in progress. The patterns on the ECG may indicate which role of your centre has been damaged, as well as the extent of the harm.
• Inadequate blood and oxygen supply to the eye. An ECG done while you're having symptoms can aid your physician decide whether chest hurting is acquired by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, such as with the chest pain of unstable angina.
• Structural abnormalities. An ECG tin provide clues nearly enlargement of the chambers or walls of the heart, centre defects and other heart problems.

If your dr. finds any problems on your ECG, he or she may order additional tests to run into if treatment is necessary.

Clinical trials

Explore Mayo Clinic studies of tests and procedures to help preclude, find, care for or manage conditions.

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Source: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/ekg/about/pac-20384983

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