The electrical activity of the heart is captured by an electrocardiogram. It is a routine test that is painless and used to swiftly identify heart issues and keep track of the heart health.
Operating rooms and ambulances come equipped with ECG machines as standard. Smartwatches and other personal electronics provide ECG monitoring.
A variety of electrocardiograms (EKG) are used by our doctors to look for different cardiac (heart) or pulmonary (lung) disorders.
Types of Electrocardiograms :
1. Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET)
A CPET is a test that assesses the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. This examination is performed to identify any pulmonary or heart disorders.
2. Signal-averaged electrocardiogram
A more thorough electrocardiogram is a signal-averaged electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). Multiple ECG tracings are taken throughout this operation over the course of around 20 minutes in order to catch aberrant heartbeats that might only happen occasionally.
3. Exercise EKG
To monitor the heart during stress or exercise, a patient is given a stress test (also known as a treadmill test or an exercise EKG) while walking on a treadmill or pedalling a stationary bicycle. Blood pressure and breathing rates are also observed. A stress test might be done to find signs of coronary artery disease or to figure out how much activity is safe after a heart attack or heart surgery.
4. Resting 12-lead EKG
This electrocardiogram is used to assess the electrical activity of your heart. This EKG is carried out while you are lying still and simultaneously records the electrical activity of your heart from 12 electrodes located on your chest, arms, and legs. A normal examination might include a resting 12-lead EKG to look for heart issues before any symptoms or indications appear.
5. Holter monitor
The Holter monitor is a form of electrocardiogram that is used to track the ECG trace continuously for at least 24 hours. On the arms, legs, and chest, electrodes are positioned in specific places. The electrical activity of the heart is measured and printed for the doctor knowledge when the electrodes are connected to an ECG machine by lead wires.