The electrocardiogram is an effective study to know the condition of the heart and to be able to diagnose certain pathologies. In addition, this test is painless, takes no more than 15 minutes, and is very simple, so it can be applied to patients of any age.
While the electrocardiogram is being carried out, the person should be lying down and relaxed, without clothing from the waist up, nor have metal objects or other accessories, since these or a simple movement could interfere with the reading of heart impulses . It is important to have this test done if you have chest pain or palpitations, when there is a history of heart problems, heart murmurs, or some other situation in which the doctor considers it prudent.
Due to the relevance of this cardiac study, at FastlyHealwe will explain what you need to know about the electrocardiogram: what it is and what it is for .
Table of Contents
What is an electrocardiogram?
The electrocardiogram is a study in which the variations in the electrical activity generated by the atria and ventricles are graphically recorded as a function of time.
For this, 10 electrodes are generally placed at various points on the patient’s body surface, they are connected to a recording apparatus. These points will give us an outline of the functioning of the heart through the tracing of a sequence of waves, in which we can interpret the rhythm and regularity of the heartbeat, the activity, the size of the heart and its cavities.
For its interpretation, there is a pattern of the cardiac electrical potential for a person in normal condition, so when there is a change or an anomaly in the tracing, the doctor will evaluate the condition and indicate if it is a problem.
What is the electrocardiogram for?
This study helps in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and is a primary factor in the screening processes, as well as in the area that is responsible for analyzing everything related to the electrical potentials of the heart. The electrocardiogram is used mainly to:
- Identify possible metabolic disorders that affect the heart muscle, especially those that are involved with the alteration of sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium.
- Find out if the patient is predisposed to sudden cardiac death .
- Determine what physical condition a person is in. It is generally used during stress tests that apply for a job, at school or to perform some risky activity.
- Find possible effects on the heart from the use of devices implanted in this organ or from certain medications.
- Detect and evaluate the presence of cardiac arrhythmias.
- Know if the position and size of the ventricles and atria are normal or, on the contrary, if there is an abnormality such as the development of left ventricular hypertrophy.
- Help establish if you have heart disease .
- Point out possible blockages or abnormalities in the coronary arteries or atrioventricular conduction.
- Diagnose the development of episodes of acute coronary pathologies, such as coronary syndrome, unstable angina or myocardial infarction. The early identification of these diseases is essential to be able to counteract them.
Whenever this test is recommended by a cardiologist, it is essential to carry it out in order to detect any heart condition in a timely manner and ensure your well-being.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
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I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.