Electrocardiographym (ECG) is a test to measure and record the electrical activity of the heart. An EKG is generally done to check the condition of the heart and assess the effectiveness of treatment for heart disease.
An electrocardiogram is performed using a machine that detects the heart's electrical impulses called an electrocardiograph. With this tool, the impulses or electrical activity of the heart will be monitored and appear in the form of graphs displayed on the monitor screen.
The doctor will then evaluate the electrical activity of the patient's heart through the monitor. In addition, a graph showing the electrical activity of the patient's heart can also be printed on paper and attached to the patient's medical record.
Doctors will generally suggest an EKG in patients who experience symptoms of heart problems, such as difficulty breathing, easily tired and weak body, chest pain, and heart palpitations.
Electrocardiography Indications and Contraindicationsm
An electrocardiogram can be used to detect the following conditions:
- Heart attack
- Cardiomyopathy
- Heart rhythm disturbances
- Coronary heart disease
- Electrolyte disturbance
- Drug poisoning
Doctors can also use an EKG to check a patient's heart health before and after surgery, as well as to assess the effectiveness of heart disease treatments, such as the use of pacemakers and medications.
The ECG test is painless, fast, and safe to perform. Therefore, in general, there are no contraindications to the electrocardiogram, unless the patient refuses to undergo the examination. In other words, the ECG can be performed on anyone in all age groups.
Before Electrocardiographym
An EKG is often done in an emergency to detect a heart attack. However, in some cases, the ECG can be done through prior planning or when the patient undergoes a routine medical examination (check-up). In this situation, there are a number of things that must be considered, namely:
- Tell your doctor if you are using a pacemaker.
- Tell your doctor about any medications and supplements, including herbal supplements, that you are currently taking because they can affect the EKG results.
- If there is hair on the chest, you should shave it first so that the electrodes are not difficult to stick to the body.
- Avoid using lotion, oil, or powder on the body, especially on the chest.
- Avoid drinking cold water or exercising before having the EKG as it can affect the test results.
Electrocardiography Procedurem
An electrocardiogram can be done in a clinic or hospital with a duration of approximately 10 minutes. The following is a series of ECG examinations:
- The patient will be asked to change into all surgical gowns, then remove any jewelery or objects on the body that could affect the results of the examination.
- The patient will be asked to lie in bed. Next, the electrodes connected to the EKG machine will be placed on the chest, arms and legs.
- The EKG machine will record the electrical activity of the patient's heart and display it in the form of a graph of electrical waves on a monitor, which will then be analyzed by the doctor.
- During a walking EKG, avoid talking and moving as this can affect the test results.
After Electrocardiographym
After the ECG examination, the patient can carry out activities as usual, unless the doctor advises the patient to limit activities because of an illness. ECG results can also be directly discussed with the doctor on the same day or at a later time.
If the EKG is normal, then other tests may not be needed. However, if the ECG results indicate a disease, the patient may be asked to undergo a repeat ECG or other tests, such as cardiac enzymes, depending on the disease the doctor suspects.
Some of the information that can be obtained from the ECG examination are:
- Regular or irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
- Normal heart rate, too slow (bradycardia), or too fast (tachycardia)
- The supply of blood and oxygen to the heart is sufficient or less
- The heart is still in good condition or signs of damage have appeared, for example, because you have had a heart attack
- Normal heart structure or changes, for example due to enlargement of the heart chambers
Electrocardiogram Side Effects
Electrocardiogram examination is generally safe and very rarely causes any side effects. However, in some cases, patients experience an allergic skin reaction to the electrodes attached to the body. The patient may also experience some pain when the ECG electrodes are removed from the skin.
Types of Electrocardiographym
Sometimes, heart problems can go undetected by the usual (standard) electrocardiogram examination. This happens because the disorder may come and go, or maybe when the usual ECG examination does not appear.
To overcome this, there are several other types of heart electrical activity tests that can be done and are slightly different from the usual EKG examination, namely:
- stress teststress test is an ECG examination that is carried out while the patient is on the move treadmill, either walking or running. The patient may also be asked to pedal a stationary bicycle in stress test.
- Holter monitorHolter monitor is an ECG examination to record the electrical activity of the heart during the patient's activities for 1-2 days. Holter monitor is a small device that is worn around the neck and equipped with electrodes that are attached to the chest.
Patients can carry out their normal activities when using holter monitor, provided that the electrodes and monitor are kept dry. During use holter monitor, the doctor will ask the patient to record any activity that results in changes in the electrical activity of the heart.
- EventsmonitorEvent monitor is a tool similar to holter monitor. the difference, event monitor records the electrical activity of the heart for several minutes when symptoms of a heart condition appear. Event monitor can be used for a period of up to 1 month.