An electrocardiogram, or ECG, makes it possible for cardiologists to detect heart rhythm disorders. It is a graphical record of the electrical activity of the cardiac muscle, detected by means of electrodes placed on skin. An ECG recording can generated during an ECG examination, a quick and painless diagnostic method. In clinical practice, ECG is useful for diagnosing cardiac and non-cardiac diseases. It is also indispensable in diagnosing cardiac arrhythmias and ischaemic heart disease.
An ECG is quick, simple, and painless. It is required by the cardiologist to diagnose heart rhythm disorders, analyse blood flow disorders in the cardiac muscle, and other medical conditions. A standard ECG is conducted with every systematic examination, before every internist and cardiology examination, in events of acute chest and heart pain, and even for preventive purposes. It helps the doctors to identify abnormal heart activity patterns, such as arrhythmias, heart attacks, cardiac hypertrophy, and other cardiac conditions. Regular ECGs are particularly important for individuals faced with risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood fat levels, smoking, etc.
Not only is it versatile; ECG is a painless, non-invasive exam that illustrates the heart beat in an unambiguous manner. At the clinic, a cardiologist records a standard ECG while the patient is at rest. There also exist modifications to the standard ECG, specifically the Holter monitoring and stress ECG. A Holter ECG is used by doctors to measure heart activity over a 24-hour period if there is suspicion of heart rhythm disturbances while engaged in certain activities that cannot be performed at a cardiology clinic. This grants the cardiologist the overview of the cardiac function throughout the patient's daily routine, making it possible to detect any irregularities over an extended time period. However, when ECG is recorded in a patient undergoing exertion testing (e.g., on a stationary bicycle), it can be used to identify abnormalities that only occur during exertion.
A standard ECG begins by placing electrodes on the limbs of the patient and at standard locations on the chest. The position of the electrodes on the limbs does not impact the recording. However, on the chest, they must be placed accurately. The skin beneath the electrodes is degreased with alcohol. For improved contact, a conductive paste, liquid, or gel may be applied to the skin (not the electrode). The contact between the electrode and the wire must be solid. The electrodes on the chest must not touch one another. During the recording, the patient must lie relax. Otherwise, muscle artefacts may appear in the ECG recording, interfering with the electrocardiogram interpretation. In the best case scenario, the patient would already lie still for 15 minutes before the start of the ECG.
The device detects electrical signals generated by the heart and converts them into a graphical form either on paper or in digital form. During the recording, the patient must remain as still as possible; namely, movement or muscle strain may cause disturbances in the ECG recording.
After the completion of the recording, a doctor or electrocardiography specialist examines the ECG and interprets the electrical activity of the cardiac muscle. An ECG is a vital tool in diagnosing cardiac disorders, such as arrhythmias, ischaemic heart disease, and other heart-related issues.