Electrocardiography records electrical impulses from the heart to diagnose heart conditions. The test can be done in a doctor’s office or with a portable heart monitor. False results can occur, so a physical exam and medical history are important. Other tests may be recommended based on the EKG results.
An electrocardiography, also known as an EKG or ECG, is a medical diagnostic technique that records electrical impulses from the heart. The impulses that are recorded are the impulses that precede the contractions of the heart muscle. This painless procedure is often used to diagnose coronary artery disease, heart rhythm disorders, and inflammation of the protective heart membrane. Electrocardiography can also detect the presence of a past heart attack and can indicate whether a person is having one at the time.
Typically, the EKG begins with attaching electrodes to certain areas of the chest, ankles, and wrist. These electrodes are then connected to the recording machine. As the machine picks up electrical impulses, the results are recorded on rolled-up graph paper. The EKG can be done in a doctor’s office, emergency room, or even at home with the use of a portable heart monitor called a Holter monitor. This monitor records electrical impulses and heart rhythms on a 24-hour basis.
Sometimes, certain factors can interfere with the reliability of the electrocardiograph test. Stress and anxiety can cause a rapid and irregular heart rate that would not normally be present under normal circumstances. Also, the consumption of some medications such as cold and allergy medications can alter the results because they stimulate the heart. Typically, people who drink coffee and consume other caffeine-containing foods and beverages may have abnormal electrocardiogram results.
Frequently, heart drugs called beta-blockers can mask certain conditions of the heart. Typically beta blockers slow and regulate the heart rate. Many times when the beta blocker is stopped, the heart rhythm and rate return to being abnormal. It’s important to let your doctor know when you take a beta-blocker or any heart medication during your EKG evaluation. Pacemakers also slow down and regulate the heart, which can also appear on the electrocardiograph as an abnormality.
Typically, based on the EKG results, other cardiac tests may be recommended. If the test shows an abnormality, an echocardiogram may be suggested. This test uses sound waves that bounce off heart structures to visualize the heart, valves, and vessels. Additionally, a stress test may be needed to determine if coronary blockage is present. The electrocardiograph may suggest the presence of ischemic heart disease, which may indicate a block.
EKG testing sometimes elicits false positive or false negative results. Because the test isn’t foolproof, it’s important to supplement it with a thorough physical exam and medical history. Sometimes, heart enzyme blood tests will be done to rule out the presence of a myocardial infarction or heart attack. When heart muscle is damaged, heart enzymes leak into the bloodstream and are detected in this blood test. A combination of diagnostic tests is often needed to rule out cardiac events.
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