Registration of electrocardiography (ECG) standard in 12 leads and interpretation

Electrocardiography is a routine diagnostic procedure that is of great value for identification of the impairments in the functioning of one of the most important human organs, the heart. Using the ECG machine, a diagnostician records and studies electrical fields formed in the process of cardiac function. ECG is the first technique to diagnose a myocardial infarction, and ECG also is a screening diagnostic technique for cardiovascular diseases of different etiology.

Electrocardiography may be prescribed for prevention and early detection of cardiovascular diseases. Usually it is recommended to undergo the procedure annually, but it can be prescribed more frequently in case of certain symptoms.

ECG allows you to determine:

• change of dimensions of heart cavities and myocardial thickening;
• heart beat arrhythmias (bradycardia, tachycardia, arrhythmia, ventricle repolarisation abnormalities);
• electrolyte metabolism disorders (dystrophic and inflammatory myocardial changes);
• anomalies or abnormal conduction pathways;
• hypoxia or myocardial ischemia.

Indications for ECG are:

• pain in chest;
• upcoming surgery;
• the first and the third trimester of pregnancy;
• age over 40;
• shortbreathing;
• feeling unwell after physical activity or emotional stress;
• arrhythmic heart functioning: the heart rate is too low or too high;
• past medical history of somatic and infectious diseases that may result in cardiac complications (flu, tonsillitis);
• constant monitoring of vitals of seriously ill patients.

Description of ECG procedure

A patient has to strip to the waist, strip off the shins and take off metal handicrafts (accessories, watch).

A patient lies on a couch. A nurse deprives the patient’s skin of fat in the points of contact with electrodes (chest and shins), then places the electrodes and fixes them with clamps or bracelets. The electric conduction gel is put on the skin. A nurse connects the electrodes to the cardiograph that records the heart functioning.

The procedure lasts 5–10 minutes. Sometimes a doctor can ask to repeat the procedure to study the heart functioning on each stage more thoroughly. The patient can receive the interpretation of the cardiogram just after the examination.

Attention! A patient should lie still during the examination, not tensing the muscles, breathe calmly and not talk.

The procedure has no contraindications. ECG examination is absolutely safe and does not affect the patient’s body.

ECG does not require any special preparation.

Cardiologists of Dobrobut clinic chain apply Holter daily ECG monitoring (for 24 or 48 hours) for the more detailed analysis of ECG, diagnostics of various rhythm disturbances, conduction abnormalities and myocardial ischemia. The technique is also effective for the monitoring of results of the prescribed treatment.