Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a medical test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. It’s a crucial tool in diagnosing various heart conditions and monitoring heart health. The heart generates electrical impulses that regulate its beats, and an ECG records these impulses as they travel through the heart muscle.

The test involves placing electrodes on the skin at specific points on the chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes detect the electrical signals produced by the heart and transmit them to a machine, which then records the data as a series of waves on a graph. Each wave corresponds to different phases of the heart’s activity, such as the contraction of the atria and ventricles.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) Explained

Healthcare providers use Electrocardiogram (ECG) to detect abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias), assess the heart’s overall function, and identify issues like heart attacks or electrolyte imbalances. The test is non-invasive, painless, and typically takes only a few minutes to perform.

There are different types of ECGs, including resting ECGs, stress tests, and Holter monitoring, which is a 24-hour continuous recording. While a standard Electrocardiogram (ECG) provides a snapshot of the heart’s activity at a specific moment, more extended monitoring may be required to capture irregularities that do not occur consistently.

In summary, an ECG is a vital diagnostic tool in cardiology, providing essential insights into heart health and guiding treatment decisions.