ELECTROCARDIOGRAM
An electrocardiogram (ECG), sometimes abbreviated EKG, is an important tool in detecting heart disease and pinpointing where difficulty lies when a problem is present.
An electrocardiogram is a noninvasive test in which electrode patches are attached to your skin to measure electrical impulses given off by your heart.
The electrical impulses, which cause your heart to contract and relax, are transmitted to an electrocardiograph machine. They typically are recorded in the form of waves, which can be displayed on graph paper or a monitor.
Each wave represents the electrical current in a different area of your heart. A letter in the alphabet refers to each wave (deflection). the P wave represents the electrical current in the atria. The QRS waves (complexes) represent the electrical current travelling in the ventricles. the T wave represents the electrical recovery period of the ventricles. by interpreting the patterns of these waves, your doctor can diagnose several abnormal heart conditions which are as following:
· Heart rhythm
Wave patterns can indicate whether you've had a heart attack in the past or are currently having one. In addition, they can provide information about what areas of your heart have been damaged and to what extent.
Blood and oxygen supply - If your heart isn't getting enough blood and oxygen, this may show up on the ECG. This can sometimes help distinguish angina from a heart attack if you're experiencing chest pains during ECG.
Structural abnormalities - Wave patterns may suggest a thick heart muscle, congenital abnormalities or enlargement of the heart's chambers - though further testing typically is needed.
SPECIAL TESTS
Because traditional ECGs are conducted over a short time period, they may miss certain irregularities. However, variations of the technique have been developed to overcome this limitation. These techniques include:
Signal - averaged ECG - This procedure may be used to identify risk factors for ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation. It is similar to a standard ECG, though it takes from 20 to 40 minutes. In addition, a computer program is used to distinguish and magnify weak electrical impulses that might otherwise be missed.
Exercise ECG (stress test) - This technique may be used to observe problems involving an insufficient amount of oxygen reaching the heart (ischemia), irregular heart rhythm or angina. The test is done on a treadmill or stationary bike (TMT). Electrodes attached to your skin record information before, during and after the exercise. By monitoring your heart while it is working harder, your doctor can better access its function and limits.
Ambulatory ECG (Holter monitor) - This test is used to monitor your heart for rhythm abnormalities during normal activity for an uninterrupted 24-hour period. During the test, electrodes attached to your chest are connected to a portable recorder - about the size of a paperback book - that is attached to your belt or hung from a shoulder strap.
Telephone - transmitted ECG - This procedure uses a device that allows you to transmit ECGs through telephone lines.
Event recorder - This device may be used if your symptoms are infrequent. Similar to a Holter monitor, the device is worn for about a month. When experiencing a symptom, you push a button on the recorder, which cues it to store the information it receives during the time period several minutes before and after being pushed.
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This article is written by Dr. Bimal Chhajer (Best Heart Recovery Specialist)
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