Ekg (electrocardiography): procedures, risks and treatments

Definition of an ECG (electrocardiogram)

What is an EKG (electrocardiogram / electrocardiography)?

An electrocardiogram or EKG is a test to evaluate heart health. This medical test, also known as electrocardiography, aims to determine and record electrical activity in the heart organ.

The heart works because it is triggered by the conduct of natural electrical signals. These signals cause the heart muscle to contract to create a heartbeat.

Each time your heart beats, a wave (impulse) of electricity will flow through your heart. These waves cause the heart muscles to squeeze, then pump blood out of the heart.

So, it can be concluded that the EKG test can detect whether a person's heart rate is normal or not.

If the electrical activity in the heart is disturbed and the heart rate is not normal, this indicates a disturbance or disease in the heart. Through this medical test, doctors can diagnose someone's illness.

In addition to detecting irregular heartbeats, the John Hopkins Medicine website also mentions various functions of the EKG, including:

Know the cause of chest pain (angina), palpitations, murmurs, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting or other symptoms of heart disease.
Monitor the operation of implanted pacemakers.
Helping doctors evaluate heart health thoroughly before certain medical procedures, such as heart surgery, or advanced care for people who have had a heart attack, have endocarditis (inflammation of the heart valves), and after undergoing cardiac catheterization.
Knowing how optimal heart function is for comparison before and after undergoing cardiovascular disease treatment.

Types of ECG (electrocardiogram)

Some of the types of ECG that are usually performed include:

Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET)

This type of test is used to detect heart or lung disease. During the CPET test, the patient will be asked to do light exercise on an upright bicycle while breathing through a mouthpiece. Each breath will be measured to assess how the body is performing.

Lung capacity and strength are measured before and during exercise. Then, it is recorded before, during, and after exercising.

The CPET test will last a total of 40 minutes; however, the patient will only be asked to exercise for approximately 10 minutes. This test requires your utmost effort to ensure that the most reliable diagnostic information is obtained.

Exercise electrocardiogram (stress test)

This test is done while you are doing an exercise, such as pedaling a stationary bike or walking on a treadmill.

The goal is to monitor the heart during periods of stress. Usually this is done after a heart attack, heart surgery, or when coronary artery disease is detected.

Holter Monitor

The type used to monitor continuous ECG tracing for 24 hours or more. Electrodes (small, plastic patches) are placed in specific locations on the chest, arms, and legs.

When the electrodes are connected to the electrocardiogram machine with lead wires, the electrical activity of the heart is measured, interpreted, and printed for the doctor's information.

Resting 12-lead ECG

Standard tests to measure the electrical function of your heart. Performed while you are lying still, then a special instrument will record the electrical activity of your heart from 12 electrodes (sticky patch) on your chest, arms and legs simultaneously.

This type of test can be part of a routine check-up to check for the condition of the heart before signs or symptoms develop.

Signal-averaged electrocardiogram

During this procedure, multiple ECG traces are obtained for about 20 minutes to capture abnormal heartbeats that may occur only of short duration.

The choice of this type of test will depend on your symptoms and suspicion of heart disease.

For example, this type of exercise test may be recommended if symptoms occur during physical activity. Meanwhile, the outpatient type is more suitable if the symptoms cannot be predicted, namely the duration is short and occurs randomly.

When is an EKG (electrocardiogram) needed?

Not everyone needs or is required to undergo an EKG. People who have no symptoms of heart disease and who are also at low risk of heart attack are not immediately advised to undergo an electrocardiogram test.

Electrocardiography examinations are usually specifically aimed at people who have or are at risk of experiencing:

Heart rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias), which can cause your heart to beat slower (bradycardia) or faster (tachycardia).
Blockage or narrowing of the heart arteries (coronary arteries). Clogged arteries are a big risk factor for heart-related chest pain problems and heart attacks.
Structural problems in the chambers or chambers of the heart, may be owned by children with congenital heart defects or heart valve disease.
History of heart attack, previous or at risk of heredity; including if you don't currently have any symptoms of heart disease.

Symptoms requiring an EKG

The following are conditions that lead to symptoms of heart disease and require you to undergo an EKG (electrocardiogram):

Chest pain.
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or confusion.
Palpitations or palpitations.
Pulse fast or slower than usual.
Hard to breathe.
Weakness, fatigue or decreased ability to exercise.

ECG (electrocardiogram) risks and side effects

An EKG (electrocardiogram) is a safe procedure. When the appliance is attached to the body, no electric current is sent. This EKG is only responsible for recording the electrical activity of the heart.

You may feel some discomfort, such as when the bandage or electrodes are removed. Some people also get a slight rash on the area of the body that an electric recording device is attached to the heart.

The rhythm of the heartbeat may become irregular, especially if you take an exercise EKG test. However, this is not a side effect of the procedure, but an effect of the exercise you have as it progresses.

Preparation before undergoing an EKG (electrocardiogram)

Before the test begins, the medical staff will usually ask you to remove any jewelry, watches, or other metal objects that have adhered to your body.

Then you will be asked to change into a medical gown. Don't worry, your vital organs will still be covered because the special clothes will only show the parts that are needed.

You may need to trim any hair that grows around your chest. The goal, so that the tool is firmly attached to your skin.

EKG (electrocardiogram) procedure

The process of examining an EKG is short and painless. You will be assisted by a specialist doctor or medical staff who are trained in this regard.

Steps to install the ECG instrument

How to install an EKG device, is quite easy. The medical staff will place electrodes over the skin of your chest. In addition to the chest, electrodes will also be attached to the arms and legs with the help of adhesive gel.

During the examination process, you will be asked to lie down. The electrodes attached to your body have electrical cords that connect to the EKG machine.

Your heart rate is then recorded through the machine, so the doctor will know how well the electrical signal activity in your heart is.

The ECG results appear as a graph that will show you whether your heart rate is normal or not. If the test results are normal, you will not need further tests.

Conversely, if it turns out that the test shows there is a problem with the heart, you inevitably have to do further tests.

Care after an ECG (electrocardiogram)

Generally, there is no special treatment after an electrocardiogram (EKG) is carried out. However, you have to maintain a healthier diet and adjust your activities. You will get the results as a graph after the test is done.

Reading a graph of ECG test results may not be easy for some people. Therefore, you can ask your doctor for help and instructions to understand the results.

If you look at the graph, the first short upward notch is called a P wave. This wave indicates that the atria (the atria of the heart) are contracting to pump blood.

Then, the short downward notch that connects to the top of the high is called the QRS complex. This section shows the ventricles (chambers of the heart) contracting to pump blood.

Furthermore, the short upward segment is called the ST segment which represents the amount of time from the end of the ventricular contraction to the start of the rest period before the ventricles begin to contract for the next beat.

The next upward curve is called the "T wave" The T wave indicates the rest period of the ventricles. When the doctor looks at the EKG, he or she studies the size and length of each part of the segment, curve, or recorded wave.