Understanding ECG

Understanding ECG

ECG stands for electrocardiogram, or a machine meant to examine the electrical activities of the heart. Also known as ECG, the machine,during the test, presents the electrical activity of the heart in the form of waves much like line tracings on the paper. The tracings comprise of dips and spikes together called waves.

When Would You Need an ECG Test?

As seen in the best ECG checkup facilities in Rajasthan, an Electrocardiogram can be utilized to check the size and position of the chambers of your heart, the rhythm of your heart and whether it is normal, any damage to the heart or the effects of drugs or devices, such as a pacemaker, that are used to control the heart.

There can be many reasons because of which an individual may be suggested to take an ECG test, some of which are –

  • To detect the reasons behind unexplained pressure or chest pains.
  • To discover the causes behind various symptoms related to heart diseases.
  • To detect if the walls of the chambers of the heart have thickened.
  • To find out the effectiveness of medications, also side effects if any.
  • To check the efficiency of the devices attached to the heart.
  • To examine the state of the heart when a patient is ridden with ailments like high blood pressure, diabetes, high levels of cholesterol and so on

An ECG test can also be advised to patients before a surgery or when they have a family history of heart diseases.

What Does it Entail?

An ECG instrument, also known as EKG, is a portable machine which is why the test can be taken anywhere, be it in your doctor’s chamber or during other tests at the hospital. In this test –

  • The patient must lie on a bed or table.
  • The patient’s chest, arms and legs will be shaved.
  • Electrodes will be attached on the body, on areas like chest, arms and legs.
  • The electrodes will be attached to the machine tracing the activity of the heart
  • The doctor may ask the patient to breathe normally or hold the breath during the test.
  • The procedure may take 10-15 minutes approximately.
  • Once the test is done, the electrodes will be detached from the patient’s body.

Based on the instructions provide the top ECG checkup facilities in Rajasthan, patients must discuss their health conditions well with their doctors, prior to the test.