ECG Device and Other Ways to Diagnose Arrhythmia
There are various ways to diagnose and confirm the presence of an arrhythmia. The most common is diagnosis through an ECG device. With this equipment, the conduction system of your heart is analyzed. Your heart’s conduction activity will be summarized and translated into line tracings on paper. The laboratory technician or your physician can do the interpretation for you.
Besides the examination of the heart’s electrical activity, tests performed through this device also serve many uses. If you have an inexplicable chest pain, having it checked can help you determine which possibly causes it. It might be a result of a heart attack or the swelling of the sac around your heart. Similarly, if you feel that you have a heart disease, an ECG test will let you identify the symptoms. The usual signs would include dizziness, palpitations, and shortness of breath. Through an electrocardiogram too, it becomes easier to check whether the chamber of your heart are too thick.
Moreover, for those who were already diagnosed with a heart condition, this test would help you monitor the improvements in your heart. You can determine whether the medications you are taking are effective or not. Additionally, if you have an implanted device in your heart, this screening will see if it is functioning well.
What to Expecting During ECG Device Screening?
Health professionals usually perform this type of test so you can quite be sure that you are in reliable care. You need to be relaxed, lie flat on a bed, and breathe normally. Electrodes will then be placed on your arms, legs, and chest. These will detect the electrical impulses that will translate your heart’s conduction activity. The machine will then summarize it onto a paper which will then be interpreted by your doctor which can be a cardiologist, internist, surgeon or general physicians. For more accurate results, be sure to follow the instruction given by the lab technician.
Although the electrodes will produce conduction, there should be no fear that you might get electrocuted. The metal discs are quite safe. It is advised that if you have a hair on the said parts of your body where the discs will be placed, shave it because when the electrodes are removed, it may pull the hair and skin, and might cause a pinch.
Other Possible Tests for Arrhythmia
Consulting an electrophysiologist may also work for your advantage. This health professional is also a cardiologist who is specially trained for heart rhythm disorders. Aside from ECG tests, he may advise you to undergo these other tests: Examination through ambulatory monitors, stress tests, echocardiograms, cardiac catheterization, electrophysiology study, and tilt table test.
Prior to submitting yourself to any of these tests, be sure to familiarize yourself first of what these tests do. Your doctor can enlighten you on this. Similarly, he will also tell you which of these screenings do you need. Moreover, if you want a quick and easy way to analyze your heartbeat prior to a formal health test, you can try a portable ECG device.