The Use Of An Electrocardiogram
Verlyn Ross
This article describes in some detail what an electrocardiogram
is, how it works and how you are impacted.
An electrocardiogram, which is sometimes referred to simply as an
ECG or an EKG, is a diagnostic tool that doctors and medical
professionals use to measure a patients heart activity by paying
attention to the electric current flowing in the heart. This is a
procedure that is fairly routine and is performed all of the
time. It generally takes five to ten minutes to do and it is both
simple and safe to perform.
For the most part, it is standard for a resting ECG to be
administered to patients. A resting ECG takes place when the
patient is lying on his or her back and the doctor or technician
places metal sensors at the persons wrists, ankles and a number
of places in the chest area. The sensors are able to detect the
electric impulses of the heart, which are then recorded as
special tracings on strips of graph paper. An ECG is not
uncomfortable as the current is always coming only from the
patient and from nowhere else.
In a general sense a normally beating heart brings about the same
pattern of waves in everyone. If this pattern varies at all, it
is potentially due to a multitude of problems which could include
irregular heart rhythms, which could be a sign of heart disease
but is not necessarily so; damage to the muscle of the heart;
enlargement of the chambers of the heart; an imbalance of
minerals in the blood and finally, whether or not a patient is
having or has already had, a heart attack. Most people who show
signs of heart disease will find an ECG useful in helping to
isolate the problem.
It is important to note that an electrocardiogram is not
foolproof. It is possible to have an ECG that is normal but still
be afflicted by heart problems. The opposite can also be true -
sometimes the graph from the ECG can show problems where there
are none at all. Atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fat in
artery walls that causes blocked or narrowed coronary arteries,
is not always revealed with a resting ECG due to the fact that
when the heart is at rest, it is receiving enough oxygen. In this
instance, a doctor may decide that a stress ECG that looks at the
condition of the blood vessels of the heart is in order. A stress
ECG is done while a patient is either riding a stationary bike or
exercising on a treadmill.
A stress test or stress ECG can show signs that there is an
inadequate supply of oxygen to specific spots of the heart
muscle. The most common case of this problem is narrowing of
coronary arteries, which are clogged due to the buildup of
plaque. The stress test can uncover problems that would be
undetected until a person finds himself or herself suffering from
a pain in their chest while they are engaging in physical
activity.
Electrocardiograms are most often a routine part of a physical
checkup after a person turns forty years old. It is highly
recommended that a person have an ECG before they turn forty so
later on it can be used for comparison purposes.
Verlyn Ross owns and operates a website dedicated specifically to providing
health and fitness information. It includes a wealth of free articles in
which you may have an interest. For a great place to get Answers, go here!
http://www.achieve-health-fitness.com
Back To:
All Free Info about Heart & Circulatory System Health
Find More Free Natural Health Information
Choose Natural Health Site Map
