Electrocardiogram Patient Education – Overview
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the fastest and simplest tests used to check the heart’s electrical activity. Small adhesive electrodes are attached to the skin at certain spots on the chest, legs, and arms. These electrodes connect to an ECG machine by lead wires.
The ECG machine records the heart’s electrical activity from the body without sending any electrical signals into the body.
The heart’s contractions are controlled by natural electrical impulses to ensure that the blood keeps flowing effortlessly throughout the body. An ECG test can record these tiny electrical pulses and measure the pace of the heartbeat along with its rhythm.
It also records the timing and duration of the electrical phases across the different parts of the heart. A change in the ECG test can indicate the presence of a heart-related health condition.
When would you need an Electrocardiogram?
Some of the most common reasons that doctors may recommend you to undergo an ECG test include:
- Checking for the cause of chest pain
- Identifying irregular heartbeat
- Evaluating heart-related problems (like fainting, tiredness, shortness of breath, etc.)
- Determining the overall health of the heart before and after cardiac surgeries
- Seeing how an implanted pacemaker is working
- Determining how well certain heart medications are working
- Getting a baseline tracing of the heart’s function during a physical exam
There may be other rare reasons a doctor may prescribe an ECG test for you, too.
Are there Any Risks of an Electrocardiogram?
An electrocardiogram (ECG) is an easy, quick way to measure the heart’s functions. The main risks usually associated with ECG are nominal and quite rare.
You will not feel discomfort or pain during an ECG test as it is a non-invasive diagnostic measure. However, you may feel a slight discomfort when the electrode patches are removed from your chest, arms, or legs.
If the electrode patches are left on the body for too long, they can cause skin irritation or mild allergic reactions.
You may face other risks during an ECG, but it depends on your specific medical conditions. Discuss any such worries with your physician before the ECG test. Besides this, several factors can also determine risks after an ECG test, including:
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Fluid accumulation in the abdomen
- Anatomical considerations (size of chest, location of heart, etc.)
- Moving during the test
- Certain medications
- Exercise or smoking before the test
- Electrolyte imbalance (lack of sufficient potassium, calcium or magnesium in the blood)
How to Prepare for an Electrocardiogram?
Follow these simple steps to prepare for an electrocardiogram (ECG) test:
- The doctor or technician will explain the test procedure and allow you to ask your queries.
- Usually, fasting is not required before an ECG.
- Discuss every medication you may take with your doctor, including any nutrition supplements.
- Make sure to let the doctor or technician know that you have a pacemaker.
- Depending on your medical condition, the technician or doctor may request that you make specific preparations.
How is an Electrocardiogram test performed?
An electrocardiogram is done either on an outpatient basis or as part of your hospital stay.
These are the common steps followed when doing an electrocardiogram (ECG) test:
- You must remove all jewelry or objects that may interfere with the test.
- You will be required to remove clothing from the waist up.
- You will lie flat on a bed or table for the test. It’s important to remain still during the test to ensure accurate readings.
- If you have a hairy chest, arms, and legs, the technician may shave or clip patches of the hair to stick the electrodes properly to the chest.
- Electrodes are carefully attached to your legs, arms and chest.
- Then, the lead wires are attached to the electrode patches.
- The technician may enter patient information into the ECG machine’s computer before or after attaching the electrodes, depending on the equipment setup.
- Next, the ECG machine is started, and it takes a fairly short time to trace your heart activity on the printout.
- Once the readings are taken, the technician will switch off the ECG machine, disconnect the leads and remove the electrodes attached to your chest, arms and legs.
Conclusion
After an ECG, you can resume normal activities if your doctor advises you to. Usually, there is no special after-care required post-ECG.
You should inform your doctor if you develop new or worsening symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting. In such cases, the doctor will instruct you to handle the symptoms accordingly.
See Also
Patient Education for Osteoporosis
Heart Failure Patient Education
High Blood Pressure Patient Education
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