ECG
This is a quick, safe and painless test using small electrode stickers placed on the chest, arms and legs. They detect when the body sends an electrical signal to begin a new heartbeat. The information is recorded for the doctor to measure the strength and timing of electrical signals as they pass through the heart.
ECG is performed
- To look for the cause of chest pain
- To evaluate heart-related problems, such as severe tiredness, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting
- To identify irregular heartbeats
- To determine the overall health of the heart conditions such as a heart attack (myocardial infarction, or MI), endocarditis
- To see how an implanted pacemaker is working
- To get a baseline tracing of the heart's function during a physical exam; this may be used as a comparison with future ECGs to determine if there have been any changes
An Echocardiogram is a test that uses sound waves to examine the heart’s anatomy. Some of the structures seen are the valves, chambers and heart function. A transducer probe is used to transmit sound waves into the heart.
An ECG study is done to
- Detect any abnormalities in the size and function of the heart.
- To detect any thickness of the heart walls.
- To check the heart valves for leaks and how well they open.
- To evaluate the heart before a patient receives chemotherapy or before surgery.