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conditions involving the heart’s electrical system
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experiencing symptoms of an abnormal heart rhythm such as:
chest pain
dizziness
fainting
fatigue
feeling of your heart racing, fluttering, thumping or pounding in your chest (palpitations)
shortness of breath
sweating
experiencing warning signs of a heart attack or angina such as:
discomfort or pain in your chest, arms, shoulders, neck, jaw or back
dizziness, light headedness, feeling faint or feeling anxious
nausea, indigestion, vomiting
shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
sweating or a cold sweat
who has been diagnosed with a heart condition, to monitor the effects of certain medicines or implantable cardiac devices (like a permanent pacemaker).
Types of ECG
The three major types of ECG are:
resting ECG – you lie down for this type of ECG. No movement is allowed during the test, as electrical impulses from other muscles can interfere with the test. This type of ECG usually takes five to 10 minutes.
ambulatory ECG – for an ambulatory ECG you wear a portable recording device for at least 24 hours. You are free to move around normally while the device is attached. A doctor may arrange this type of ECG if you have symptoms that are intermittent (stop-start) which may not show up on a resting ECG. Your doctor may also recommend an ambulatory ECG if you are recovering from heart attack, to ensure your heart is working properly. You may be asked to write down or record any symptoms you experience while wearing the device, including when they occur, so that your own experience can be compared with the ECG.
exercise stress test/stress test – this type of ECG helps your doctor see how well your heart is working during physical activity. It involves having an ECG while you ride a stationary exercise bike or walk on a treadmill. This type of ECG takes about 15 to 30 minutes to complete. A stress test can also involve medicines, to understand their effects on the heart.
Having an ECG
An ECG is a simple test that usually doesn’t need any special preparation.
You can eat and drink as normal before having an ECG (unless your doctor has advised otherwise).
Always let your doctor know what medicines you are taking before you have an ECG.
Let your doctor know if you have any allergies to adhesive tapes, as an adhesive is needed to attach the electrodes to the skin.
You will need to remove your upper clothing so that electrodes can be attached to your chest, arms and legs. Wearing a separate top with trousers or a skirt can allow easy access to the chest. Underwire in a bra can interfere with the ECG reading – you may be asked to remove it before the test.
An ECG works best when the skin is clean and dry, and free of oils and lotions. Sometimes the skin is shaved if necessary because hair prevents the electrodes from sticking properly to the skin.
After an ECG
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physical examination (listening to heart sounds)
chest X-ray - to produce an image that shows the location, size and shape of the lungs, heart and major blood vessels
echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart)
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerised tomography (CT) scans of the chest - to create 3D images of the organs and structures in the chest, including the heart and lungs
blood tests
coronary angiogram (a test to examine the coronary arteries, often used to investigate chest pain or suspected heart attack).
Possible complications of an ECG
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