Question 1

when is an electrocardiogram needed?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms: One should get an ECG only when they have symptoms suggestive of heart problems: chest discomfort or pain, palpitations or shortness of breath. Otherwise, one can discover incidental findings that would lead to more (often inappropriate) tests.

Question 2

what is an electrocardiogram (ecg) used for?

Accepted Answer

Check your heart: An ekg (ECG) collects information about how the electrical impulse that maintains your heart rate is transmitted through your heart. It not only shows the rate of your hearbeat and its regularity or lack of, but can also give information about the size and strength of the chambers of your heart and sometimes about whether the heart muscle has been damaged, is receiving enough blood, etc.

Question 3

what can i expect during an electrocardiogram?

Accepted Answer

Sticky leads : An ekg is performed by placing wires on your chest and limbs that are attached with a temporary adhesive. Once the leads are attached, it only takes a few seconds for the ekg machine to get the information and print it.

Question 4

what is  an exercise electrocardiogram used for?

Accepted Answer

Prediction: It is a test that predicts the likelihood of blockages in the arteries. It can also be used for assessment of exercise tolerance or to exclude exercise induced abnormal heart rhythms.

Question 5

when would   i need an exercise electrocardiogram?

Accepted Answer

See cardiologist: Typically an exercise ekg is used to evaluate the heart under stress. This would be done if there is a question whether you can handle a stressful event such as surgery. It also could be done if there is suspicion that you have arterial blockage of your heart. All of these are determined by a cardiologist.

Question 6

what's the value of annual electrocardiogram (ekg)?

Accepted Answer

None for screening: Not much if you have no symptoms and no known heart disease.   In other words it is not a cost effective screening tool.

Question 7

low voltagen in electrocardiogram can be dangerous?

Accepted Answer

Ecg: Low voltage on ECG can have many causes from poor technique in recording all the way through sick heart. So yes can be serious but often is not.

Question 8

how often must people get an electrocardiogram (ecg)?

Accepted Answer

Symptoms: One should get an ECG only when they have symptoms suggestive of heart problems: chest discomfort or pain, palpitations or shortness of breath. Otherwise, one can discover incidental findings that would lead to more (often inappropriate) tests.

Question 9

what must i expect before having an electrocardiogram?

Accepted Answer

Nothing to expect: An electrocardiogram is a noninvasive test that records the electrical activity of the heart from multiple directions. There is no risk associated with an electrocardiogram and no effecton the patient.

Question 10

is it normal for the line on my electrocardiogram to dip?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: Normal cardiogram is not a straight line. In fact, if it were so, you'd be dead. It has dips and peaks, so without actually seeing the strip, it's hard to tell what dip is normal and what's not.

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Doctor answers about:

Electrocardiogram

A member asked:

When is an electrocardiogram needed?

A member asked:

What is an electrocardiogram (ecg) used for?

A member asked:

What can i expect during an electrocardiogram?

A member asked:

What is an exercise electrocardiogram used for?

A member asked:

When would i need an exercise electrocardiogram?

A member asked:

What's the value of annual electrocardiogram (ekg)?

A member asked:

Low voltagen in electrocardiogram can be dangerous?

A member asked:

How often must people get an electrocardiogram (ecg)?

A member asked:

What must i expect before having an electrocardiogram?

A member asked:

Is it normal for the line on my electrocardiogram to dip?

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