Heart blockages are not uncommon these days. A sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy dietary choices, high-stress routines, and irregular sleep patterns are all factors that play a role in the accumulation of plaque in coronary arteries. This further leads to reduced blood flow to the heart. Along with lifestyle changes, early detection is crucial in preventing and managing heart blockage. This is where an Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) comes into play. While ECG is not the solution for maintaining heart health, still it plays a major part. The test is non-invasive and is used to diagnose heart trouble in a painless way.
Read on to understand what is ECG, why is it important, what are the symptoms of a heart block on an ECG and much more. Let’s begin!
An essential medical diagnostic tool, an ECG, also known as an EKG, provides a graphic representation of the electrical activity in the heart. While recording the rhythm of the heart rate through electrodes placed on the skin, it checks for any irregularities. Simply put, it keeps an eye on your heart's electrical signals and helps find heart problems quickly.
Whether you can get an ECG at your doctor's office, a clinic, or a hospital, its simplicity has made it a very common tool today. Special ECG machines are easily found in operating rooms and ambulances. Some smart watches can also do ECGs, as well. This test is simple and checks how your heart beats.
When an ECG is used, the official sticks small sensors, called electrodes, on your skin to listen to your heart's electrical signals. A machine records these signals, and a doctor checks if everything is normal. A heart specialist (cardiologist) or your regular doctor can ask for an ECG if they suspect heart trouble.
This straightforward and quick test is invaluable for healthcare professionals, enabling them to make informed decisions about a patient's cardiac health and initiate timely treatments, ultimately saving lives and ensuring cardiac well-being.
There are basically three types of ECG (electrocardiogram) tests used to assess the electrical activity of the heart:
1. Resting ECG: This test is done while you're at rest, typically lying down. It records the heart's electrical signals when you're calm and still.
2. Exercise ECG (Stress Test): During this test, your heart's electrical activity is monitored while you're physically active, often on a treadmill or exercise bike. The intensity of exercise gradually increases to evaluate how your heart responds to exertion.
3. Holter Monitor: This is a continuous ECG monitoring done over 24 to 48 hours or longer. Small electrodes are attached to your chest, and a portable monitor records your heart's electrical activity as you go about your daily activities.
1. Event Monitor: Similar to a Holter monitor, this device is worn for an extended period, but it records your heart's activity only when you trigger it, such as when you experience symptoms like palpitations or dizziness.
2. Ambulatory ECG (Ambulatory Monitoring): This involves wearing a portable ECG device for an extended period, typically 24 to 48 hours, to capture intermittent heart rhythm irregularities.
3. Signal-Averaged ECG: This specialised ECG technique is used to detect abnormal heart rhythms and is often performed when a standard ECG is inconclusive.
4. Cardiac Telemetry: It's continuous ECG monitoring in a hospital setting, typically for patients recovering from heart surgery or those at risk of cardiac events.
5. Vectorcardiography (VCG): This is an advanced form of ECG that provides a more detailed view of the heart's electrical activity and is primarily used in research and specialised clinical settings.
6. High-Resolution ECG: This technique employs a greater number of electrodes to enhance the precision of electrical signal recording, especially in research and specialised diagnostic situations.
Do you know why is doing ECG important? An ECG test is often done in tandem with other checks to analyse heart problems. This test comes into play when you experience symptoms like chest pain, noticeable irregular heartbeats (known as palpitations), dizziness, difficulty breathing or something serious.
An ECG can be particularly useful in detecting:
1. Arrhythmias: These are situations where the heart doesn't maintain a steady rhythm. It could be beating too slowly (bradycardia), too quickly (tachycardia), or irregularly (atrial fibrillation). The ECG graphically displays these rhythm abnormalities.
2. Coronary Heart Disease: This condition occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscle is blocked or interrupted due to the buildup of fatty deposits (atherosclerosis) in coronary arteries. An ECG provides insights into the heart's electrical activity, which can be affected by reduced blood flow.
3. Heart Attacks: In the case of a heart attack, the supply of blood to a portion of the heart muscle is suddenly cut off. An ECG can swiftly identify this by showing specific changes in the heart's electrical pattern.
4. Cardiomyopathy: This condition involves the thickening or enlargement of the heart muscle walls. An ECG shows changes in the heart's electrical signals, which indicates cardiomyopathy.
An electrocardiogram, or ECG, is a simple procedure that you can have done at your healthcare provider's office or in a hospital setting.
1. Before the Test: Before the ECG, you might be asked to change into a hospital gown. If there's hair where they need to place the sticky patches (electrodes), they might gently shave that area to make sure the patches stick properly.
Once you're all set, you'll usually be asked to lie down on an examining table or bed.
2. During the Test: During the ECG, they'll attach up to 12 small sensors (electrodes) to your chest and limbs. These electrodes have wires that connect to a monitor. They work like stickers, picking up the electrical signals responsible for your heart's beats. A computer records this information and shows it as waves on a monitor or paper.
While having the ECG, you should breathe normally, but it's important to stay as still as possible. Lying still ensures accurate results. Avoid moving, talking, or shivering, as these actions can affect the test. Don't worry; a standard ECG usually takes just a few minutes.
3. After the Test: After your electrocardiogram, you can typically go back to your regular activities without any issues. It's a quick and straightforward procedure that helps doctors check the health of your heart.
The symptoms of heart block differ depending on the degree of blockage.
1. First-degree heart block:
2. Second-degree heart block symptoms:
3. Third-degree heart block symptoms:
Symptoms of third-degree heart block can be more pronounced due to the slower heart rate. If you're experiencing severe symptoms, it's essential to seek immediate medical attention to address the issue.
Too much stress, especially over a long period, can take a toll on your heart.
If you often find yourself stressed and don't have effective ways to manage it, you're probably at a higher risk of developing heart problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, chest pain, or irregular heartbeats.
Stress itself isn't friendly to your heart. It can raise your blood pressure and expose your body to stress hormones constantly, which isn't healthy. Research also shows that stress can affect how your blood clots, increasing the chances of a heart attack.
But how you handle stress matters, too. If you cope with stress in unhealthy ways like smoking, overeating, or not staying active, it can make the situation worse. On the flip side, if you find healthy ways to deal with stress, like exercising, connecting with friends and loved ones, and finding purpose despite the challenges, it can have a positive impact on your emotions and your overall health.
No, an ECG (electrocardiogram) cannot directly detect heart blockages. It primarily records the electrical activity of the heart. Heart blockages or blocked arteries are detected through other tests like angiograms or coronary angiography, which visualise the blood vessels around the heart to identify blockages. However, an ECG can sometimes show signs of heart strain or irregularities that suggest the need for further testing to check for blockages.
An ECG is a great test to analyse heart signals and can directly or indirectly help spot heart blockages or artery issues. Extremely useful for healthcare professionals, ECG enables them to make informed decisions about a patient's cardiac health and initiate timely treatments, ultimately saving lives and ensuring cardiac well-being.
Heart disease is common but not a simple disease. It’s not just the physical and mental struggle, but cardiac issues often require a lot of money to recover. Without proper planning, you may have to compromise on healthcare owing to the lack of money. To avoid this financial burden, investing in health insurance is the best thing to do.
Heart Mediclaim from Care Health Insurance can be an ideal solution to all such cardiac troubles. You can rest assured that you will be able to afford the best possible treatment.
>> Read More: Why should you invest in Heart Insurance?
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All plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.
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