An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of the heart.
Why is the Test Performed?
An ECG is used to measure:- Any damage to the heart
- How fast your heart is beating and whether it is beating normally
- The effects of drugs or devices used to control the heart (such as a pacemaker)
- The size and position of your heart chambers
How is the Test Performed?
You will be asked to lie down. The health care provider will clean several areas on your arms, legs, and chest, and then attach small patches called electrodes to the areas. It may be necessary to shave or clip some hair so the electrodes stick to the skin. The number of patches used may vary.You usually need to remain still, and you may be asked to hold your breath for short periods during the procedure. It is important to be relaxed and relatively warm during ECG recording. Any movement, including muscle tremors such as shivering, can alter the results. The electrodes are connected by wires to a machine that converts the electrical signals from the heart into wavy lines, which are printed on paper and reviewed by the doctor. Sometimes this test is done while you are exercising or under minimal stress to monitor changes in the heart. This type of ECG is often called a stress test.
How to Prepare for the Test?
Make sure your health care provider knows about all the medications you are taking, as some can interfere with test results. Exercising or drinking cold water immediately before an ECG may cause false results.Risks
There are no risks. No electricity is sent through the body, so there is no risk of shock.Normal Values
- Heart rate: 50 to 100 beats per minute
- Heart rhythm: consistent and even
What do Abnormal Results Mean?
Abnormal ECG results may be a sign of- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
- Cardiac muscle defect
- Congenital heart defect
- Coronary artery disease
- Ectopic heartbeat
- Enlargement of the heart
- Faster-than-normal heart rate (tachycardia)
- Heart valve disease
- Inflammation of the heart (myocarditis)
- Changes in the amount of electrolytes (chemicals in the blood)
- Past heart attack
- Present or impending heart attack
- Slower-than-normal heart rate (bradycardia)
- Alcoholic cardiomyopathy
- Anorexia nervosa
- Aortic dissection
- Aortic insufficiency
- Aortic stenosis
- Atrial fibrillation/flutter
- Atrial myxoma
- Atrial septal defect
- Cardiac tamponade
- Coarctation of the aorta
- Complicated alcohol abstinence (delirium tremens)
- Coronary artery spasm
- Digitalis toxicity
- Dilated cardiomyopathy
- Drug-induced lupus erythematosus
- Familial periodic paralysis
- Guillain-Barre
- Heart failure
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypertensive heart disease
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Hypoparathyroidism
- Idiopathic cardiomyopathy
- Infective endocarditis
- Insomnia
- Ischemic cardiomyopathy
- Left-sided heart failure
- Lyme disease
- Mitral regurgitation; acute
- Mitral regurgitation; chronic
- Mitral stenosis
- Mitral valve prolapse
- Multifocal atrial tachycardia
- Narcolepsy
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia
- Patent ductus arteriosus
- Pericarditis
- Bacterial pericarditis
- Constrictive pericarditis
- Post-MI pericarditis
- Peripartum cardiomyopathy
- Primary amyloid
- Primary hyperaldosteronism
- Primary hyperparathyroidism
- Primary pulmonary hypertension
- Pulmonary embolus
- Pulmonary valve stenosis
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy
- Right-sided heart failure
- Sick sinus syndrome
- Stable angina
- Stroke
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Tetralogy of Fallot
- Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis
- Transient ischemic attack (TIA)
- Transposition of the great vessels
- Tricuspid regurgitation
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
- Unstable angina
- Ventricular septal defect
- Ventricular tachycardia
- Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome
