When and Why You Need an ECG Test: Types Explained and More

• Written by Yashita Sinha

  Reviewed by Akhil Pillai

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According to the World Health Organisation, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are responsible for nearly 17.9 million deaths every year. In India alone, heart conditions account for around 28% of total deaths. Given the fast-paced lifestyle we lead, this figure is only going to rise. 

One of the major reasons behind developing heart disease is the plaque buildup within the coronary arteries, leading to restricted blood flow to the heart - blockage. While positive lifestyle changes can prevent heart disease, early detection is equally important in its management. 

This is where an electrocardiogram (ECG) serves as a vital step in spotting heart-related issues early, before symptoms become severe. In this blog, we’ll unfold ECG, its importance, when it’s needed and much more. Let’s get started!

What is an ECG?

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a quick, non-invasive medical test that records the electrical activity of your heart. With every heartbeat, it sends electrical signals that control the heart muscles. It provides a graphical representation of these signals to detect any anomalies in your heart's functioning.

How Does an ECG Work?

During an ECG, small sensors called electrodes are placed on your chest, arms and legs. These electrodes detect the electrical impulses generated with each heartbeat and transmit them to a machine which produces a visual report in the form of wave patterns.

Doctors use this information to detect signs of heart problems, such as irregular heartbeats, heart attacks, and other conditions affecting the heart's rhythm and structure.

The test is simple, painless, and typically takes just a few minutes to complete. You can get it done at hospitals, diagnostic labs, cardiology clinics and multispecialty clinics.

Types of ECG Tests

There are three types of ECG tests: 

Resting ECG: This is performed while the patient is lying down or sitting. It records the electrical activity of the heart at rest.

Stress ECG (Exercise Test): During this test, the heart’s electrical activity is monitored while the patient is physically active, often on a treadmill or exercise bike. The intensity of exercise gradually increases to evaluate how the heart responds to exertion.

Ambulatory ECG: This type of ECG requires the patient to wear a portable device that continuously records the heart’s electrical activity for 24 to 48 hours and longer. It’s used for detecting heart palpitation episodes or problems in heart rhythms that might not be evident during a resting ECG. 

When is an ECG Recommended?

An ECG is typically recommended if you’re experiencing symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, shortness of breath and palpitations. Moreover, if you have a family history of heart disease, an ECG helps in detecting the early signs of the condition.

If you already have the risk factors of heart diseases, such as high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, an ECG helps in monitoring heart health. 

Benefits of an ECG

Here are the top benefits of ECG: 

Early Detection of Heart Issues

An ECG helps in identifying abnormal heart rhythms, heart attacks and other heart-related issues before major symptoms start to appear, allowing early intervention. It can help detect major heart diseases such as arrhythmias, heart attack, coronary heart disease and cardiomyopathy.

Monitors Heart Health Over Time

For patients with existing heart conditions or those at risk, ECGS can track changes in heart function, enabling doctors to adjust treatments as required.

Affordable and Widely Available

Compared to modern imaging tests, an ECG is cost-effective and can be done in most hospitals, clinics, and speciality centres, making it accessible to the general population.

Guides Accurate Diagnosis and Treatment

Providing doctors with vital information about heart health, helping them make quick and accurate treatment decisions, especially during emergencies such as suspected heart attack and chest pain.

What to Expect During an ECG?

Here’s what you can expect during an electrocardiogram: 

Before the Test

Before an ECG, You will be asked to remove clothing from the waist up so the electrodes can be attached to your chest, arms, and legs. It’s recommended that you don’t apply any lotions, oils, or powders to your skin, as these can interfere with the electrode’s connection. 

During the Test

Up to 12 electrodes are attached to the chest and limbs. These electrodes contain wires that are connected to a monitor, which records the electrical activity of the heart. The electrodes pick up the electrical signals produced with every heartbeat. These signals are displayed on a screen for the doctor to review. 

After the Test 

After the completion of the ECG, the electrodes will be gently removed from your skin. You can usually return to your normal activities right away — there’s no recovery time needed. 

Then, the doctor will review the ECG results to find any irregularities in the heart's rhythm or structure. In some cases, you might get immediate results, while in other cases, you might be sent to a specialist for further analysis. 

Can ECG Detect Heart Blockages?

While an ECG measures the heart’s electrical activity, it cannot detect heart blockages. They are useful for identifying certain heart conditions and abnormalities that might be related to blockages, like irregular heartbeats or signs of a heart attack, but they can’t visualise blood vessels. Therefore, other imaging techniques such as coronary angiograms are required to confirm the presence and location of blockages. 

Symptoms of Heart Block on an ECG

In case of heart blocks, the electrical signals of your heart get delayed or blocked, and this clearly shows up on an ECG. Depending on the severity of the heart block, the ECG would look different: 

• First-Degree Heart Block: The electrical signal moves more slowly than normal, but still reaches the heart’s lower chambers. On the ECG, this shows up as a longer-than-normal gap between heartbeats- a prolonged PR interval. Most individuals don’t feel any symptoms at this stage.
• Second-Degree Heart Block: In this type of heart block, some electrical signals don’t reach the lower part of the heart. This shows up on the ECG as missing heartbeats. Some common symptoms include dizziness, fainting, or fatigue due to the irregular heart pumping.
• Third-degree (complete) Heart Block: In this case, none of the electrical signals reach the lower heart chambers. The top and bottom parts of the heart beat separately and are unsynchronised. It shows up in the ECG as a slow and irregular heartbeat. Weakness and dizziness are the two common symptoms.

Also Read: 15 Tips for a Healthy Heart

Take Care of Your Heart With Care Health Insurance

With the kind of lifestyle we lead, developing lifestyle diseases such as hypertension and diabetes is highly common. Not to mention, these diseases are the major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases. 

Although there’s no way of preventing them, regular heart checkups can be an effective way of detecting any irregularities in the functioning of your heart. ECG comes up as a valuable tool for this purpose. By accurately detecting anomalies, it helps doctors determine the best line of treatment for you. 

As heart conditions can lead to unexpected medical expenses, having heart medical insurance provides crucial financial support, ensuring you get the right treatment without draining your savings.

>> Read More: Why should you invest in Heart Insurance?

Disclaimer: 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.