Electrocardiogram ( ECG of the heart) is a test that is designed to identify problems with the electrical activity of the heart and graphically reproduce heart performance indicators on a paper ECG tape.

Why do an ECG?

An ECG of the heart (electrocardiogram) is recommended for various purposes:

• Registration electrical activity hearts;
• Finding the causes of unexplained chest pain, which can be caused by a heart attack, pericarditis, or angina. ECG during myocardial infarction is one of the most effective ways assess the patient's condition;
• Diagnosis of heart disease in the presence of its symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, dizziness, fainting, rapid or irregular heartbeat;
• Impact assessment medicines on heart health, identifying side effects their reception;
• Checking the operation of pacemakers and other implants;
• Diagnosis of heart health in the presence of signs and risk factors for the development of heart pathologies - high blood pressure, high level cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, smoking, hereditary predisposition to heart disease;
• An ECG of pregnant women is performed to assess the functioning of the heart under conditions of increasing load on the woman’s body.

Preparing for a cardiac ECG

Taking many medications can change the ECG result, so before having an ECG of the heart, you should tell your doctor about them. If you are taking heart medications, your doctor may recommend a special dosage regimen before doing an ECG.

How is ECG diagnostics of the heart performed?

ECG can be independent diagnostic procedure or be carried out as part of a comprehensive cardiac examination or comprehensive therapeutic examination. Modern portable devices ECGs allow you to make an ECG of the heart not only in a clinic, but also at home or in any place convenient for you.

During the ECG diagnostic procedure, you will be in a horizontal position. The doctor attaches special ECG electrodes to the chest, arms and legs. They are connected to an ECG machine, which measures the activity of the heart and creates an image on a paper ECG strip. During the ECG, you should lie still, maintaining a natural breathing rhythm. Sometimes the doctor may ask you to hold your breath. The ECG procedure usually takes 5-10 minutes.

ECG of the heart is completely safe and painless procedure, and today, perhaps, there are no contraindications for its implementation. ECG interpretation

2. ECG interpretation

As a result of the ECG, a picture of the electrical activity of your heart (ECG waves) will be displayed on a special tape. ECG interpretation allows you to assess the regularity of the heart rhythm ( ECG normal, either too slow, too fast or irregular), and general condition hearts, presence pathological processes(ECG for myocardial infarction, pericarditis, cardiomyopathy).

3. Types of ECG

There are several types of cardiac ECG, which allow the most objective assessment of the patient’s health status in various conditions. The classic ECG procedure of the heart is carried out over a short period of time and allows you to assess the condition of the heart immediately at the time of the procedure. However, many heart problems appear only during certain human conditions - physical activity, eating or, for example, sleeping. Some heart problems (for example, arrhythmia) also occur periodically, and it is very difficult to record an attack at a doctor’s appointment.

To solve such problems, special types of ECG can be done.

Holter ECG

Today, continuous Holter ECG monitoring (Holter ECG) is common, which provides continuous recording of heart function for 24-72 hours (24-hour ECG) or even longer if necessary. There are even ECG machines that can be implanted under the skin in the area of ​​the heart and record continuously for a year. Another type of daily ECG monitoring involves the possibility of intermittent recording. As a rule, such ECG monitoring is used when symptoms of cardiac dysfunction appear infrequently. The ECG device is portable and can, for example, be worn on the wrist like a watch. On the back of the ECG machine there are small metal discs that act as electrodes. If symptoms of cardiac pathologies appear, you must press the ECG monitoring button, and ECG recording will begin.

Stress ECG, treadmill test

In some cases, patients are advised to do ECG diagnostics with exercise (or stress ECG, treadmill test). During a stress ECG, you can exercise, run on a treadmill or, for example, exercise on an exercise bike. As a rule, the results of a stress ECG are compared with the results of a resting ECG, which allows the most effective assessment of heart function.

In some cases, cardiac ECG with stress is contraindicated. You should definitely tell your doctor if you suspect heart attack(ECG for myocardial infarction is performed only at rest), angina pectoris, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, presence of heart disease – aortic stenosis valve, myocarditis, anemia, aortic aneurysm, lung diseases.

For a thorough and in-depth study of the heart, doctors have been using one of the most reliable diagnostic methods for many years - electrocardiography (or ECG for short). Thanks to this diagnostic and correct decoding Cardiograms can say a lot about the nature and cause of abnormalities in the heart.

In a new series of articles, we will tell you about the specifics of the ECG procedure, as well as how to properly prepare for it and be able to independently decipher the results obtained by comparing own indicators with the norm.

ECG how to prepare

Contrary to the opinion of cardiologists, it is generally accepted that an ECG does not require special preparation. Studying the functioning of the heart muscle involves avoiding stress, fatigue, and requires complete rest. On the day of the procedure, you need to get a good night's sleep and ignore morning exercises. If the procedure is scheduled for morning time, then it follows avoid a heavy breakfast, but it’s better to abandon it completely. During the upcoming daily procedure, you should limit yourself to a light snack. in 2 hours before the session.

Remember to reduce the amount of fluid you drink that affects muscle function. Avoid coffee, tea and other energy drinks. They will help stimulate cardiac activity, and the results will be distorted.

It is advisable to take a shower. There is no need to apply care products to the body, because the components of creams and lotions will contribute to the formation of a greasy film on the surface, which will negatively affect the contact of the electrodes with the skin.

Immediately before performing an ECG, try to relax as much as possible. Sit with eyes closed, restore your breathing - this will ensure an even pulse and objective readings from the device.

Is ECG harmful?

The natural question of whether ECG is harmful can be answered based on the advantages of this diagnostic method:

• reliability of information
• safety and comfort of the session
• efficiency (10 min)
• no health or pregnancy restrictions

As you already understand, it is impossible to harm the health of an ECG, since this method is based on reading heart rhythm indicators and does not produce any radiation or effects on the body. Moreover, for people whose work involves constant physical activity, electrocardiography is done almost daily, which once again confirms it absolute harmlessness.

Procedure

How is an ECG performed? , what if the appointed time has come?

You will be asked to withdraw outerwear so that nothing obstructs access to the chest, and free the legs. The places where the electrodes will be attached will be treated with alcohol, and a special gel will be applied to them.

The next stage comes down to attaching the cuffs and suction cups. They are fixed on the arms, ankles and chest. Ten electrodes will track the heart rhythm and give an encrypted result.

Interpretation of the results will be effective if the patient has followed all instructions for preparing for the ECG

The heart plays the role of an electrical generator. Body tissues have a high degree of electrical conductivity, which makes it possible to detect the electrical impulses of the heart by applying electrodes to areas of the body. The readings of biopotentials are processed by an electrocardiograph and provides data in the form of a summary picture - the distribution of excitation signals throughout the muscle in graphic representation. More specifically, the difference in electrical voltage.

The spread of the impulse throughout the heart is facilitated by depolarization of myocardial cells, during which some cells acquire positive charge, the other part is negative. This is how a potential difference arises. In the case of complete depolarization (contraction) or repolarization (relaxation) of the cell, no voltage difference is noted. The device records EMF—electromotive force of the heart.

After an ECG is performed, the doctor gets an idea of ​​the functioning of the organ and any abnormalities.

An electrocardiogram can reveal:

• arrhythmia
• ischemia
• myocardial infarction

How often should I do an ECG?

As we have already found out, this method is absolutely harmless to the body. So you can forget about the risk of getting any complications from frequent monitoring of the heart muscle. On the contrary, the portal “All about hypertension” recommends performing electrocardiography when the first alarming symptoms and discomfort.

The reasons for an ECG are:

• chest discomfort
• shortness of breath
• overweight
• chronic stress
• rapid rhythm
• suspicion of

Of course, you shouldn't check yourself every day - it's simply pointless. However, the decision on the ECG frequency should be made by the attending physician, based on the medical history.

The resulting cardiogram will be interpreted and, if necessary, treatment will be prescribed. Remember that it is better to prevent the disease in advance.

In the following articles, we will look at the example of a finished cardiogram and how to match it.

Most people undergo an ECG procedure without much preparation. Often doctors don’t even talk about special measures, which is a big mistake. When the patient is tuned in to taking a cardiogram, calm and prepared, the results are truly truthful. No one has abolished the “white coat” syndrome, when a person’s nerves pound at the sight of a doctor. Many people are afraid of hospitals and procedures, and this affects their psychological, emotional and physical well-being. How to get through without problems?

Preparation for the procedure

If a person knows in advance when the procedure is, then it is better to prepare for it 1-2 days in advance. Many will be surprised, because no one talks about this. The secret is simple - during this time the patient must calm his heart as much as possible.

Advice! Get an ECG done by a qualified doctor who can read the information.

Often due to medical error people are treating the wrong diseases cardiovascular system that they have. As needed to obtain detailed information the patient undergoes an echocardiography procedure, Holter monitoring, vascular ultrasound, etc. It is impossible to draw a conclusion based only on ECG data.

Preparation

The first stage of preparation should be the choice medical institution or the doctor performing the procedure.

To take a quality photo, you need to know how to improve the result. To do this, the patient must follow the following recommendations:

1. Avoid alcohol 1-2 days before the procedure.
2. The day before the procedure, do not drink caffeinated drinks.
3. If possible, avoid heavy physical activity on the eve of the ECG.
4. Minimize the stress factor.
5. In the morning before the procedure, take a warm shower ( clear skin has better conductivity).
6. If men have heavily developed hair on their chest, then shave it so that the contact of the electrodes is better.
7. Women should avoid applying greasy creams or balms to their bodies; their skin should be clean.
8. Do not take before the procedure medications so that the result is accurate. Before the ECG, the doctor will clarify which medications to stop for a while.
9. While waiting for the procedure, calm down. To do this, inhale deeply and exhale slowly for 10 minutes.
10. If necessary, take a bedding towel with you.

These are preparatory moments that help the device obtain accurate information. With such preparation, the data obtained is as true as possible, which is what a cardiologist needs.

What can and cannot be taken?

To get an ECG without problems, you need to know which drugs, foods or drinks increase your heart rate.

Carrying out the procedure

There are a number of rules that must be followed before the electrocardiography procedure:

• 2-3 hours before the procedure, do not eat fatty, salty or spicy foods.
• It is strictly forbidden to drink energy drinks, coffee and strong tea.
• Drink plain water it is possible, but in a small volume, since large number liquid will cause shortness of breath. Drink no more than 200-300 ml if the procedure is scheduled for the morning.
• Breakfast a day easy procedures, in the form of a snack.
• 1-2 hours before the procedure you should not take vasoconstrictors. medicines, enjoy eye drops or nasal sprays.
• If the patient cannot quit smoking, then stop smoking several hours before the procedure. Nicotine smoke causes vasoconstriction, which will be reflected on the ECG.
• Can't take strong ones sedatives, since they will noticeably reduce the heart rate, which will be a reason to diagnose bradycardia.

The best option would be to stop taking medications that can affect the functioning of the heart. Taking medications for diabetes mellitus cannot be stopped.

How to prepare a child for an ECG procedure?

If adults cannot always calm themselves down in time, what can we say about the child? Parents cannot always explain to their child that the procedure will not cause him the slightest feeling of pain. When a child sees that parents or loved ones are worried, he begins to be afraid.

ECG of a child's heart

To make the ECG process calm, the child needs to be explained what will happen. It is better for parents to enter the office with their young patients to reassure them.

The doctor must have a positive attitude towards the child so that he does not feel fear. If you fail to pass the ECG the first time, take it after 10-15 minutes. During this time, the children calm down, as they understand that nothing painful happened.

Hand over ECG is better in the morning, when the child has not yet loaded himself with active loads.

How to prepare for Holter monitoring?

The Holter ECG method is a long-term recording of heart parameters using electrography. The method differs from a conventional ECG in that data is collected throughout the day. Electrodes are installed on the patient's body and connected to a mini-computer. It accumulates the information received within 24 hours. After removing the device, the doctor analyzes the data taking into account various kinds loads. This method shows an informative result, so it is often used for diagnostics various problems with heart.

Important! It is Holter monitoring that allows the doctor to see the slightest changes in the patient’s heart function. It is appropriate to use this method during the medical examination that conscripts undergo.

It is impossible to deceive the device. Often, to obtain a negative cardiogram, conscripts can drink energy drinks or drugs to speed up the heartbeat. Thus, they avoid the army, simulating an attack of arrhythmia, etc.

For monitoring to be successful, you should not give up going to work, because data should be collected taking into account your usual daily routine. The best points can be considered:

1. Before the procedure, take a shower, as this cannot be done during the day.
2. Clothing should be loose and simple, without metal or synthetic inserts.
3. Remove metal jewelry from the body.
4. In the morning before the procedure, no creams or lotions should be applied to the skin; it must be clean.
5. Quit smoking and alcoholic beverages.
6. Do not drink coffee, strong tea or energy drinks.
7. Overload yourself physical activity not worth it.
8. Write down each stage of the day in a diary. The list must include the time of the event. For example: walking, climbing stairs, sleeping, watching a movie, etc.
9. Do not take medications that can affect the functioning of the heart (vasoconstrictors, antiarrhythmics, pacemakers).

The attending physician removes the device. It is prohibited to remove the device yourself or rearrange the electrodes. Special attention pay attention to minimizing the stress factor. During the diagnosis, do not expose yourself to unnecessary experiences or emotions.

What diseases are diagnosed on an ECG?

Using an electrocardiogram, doctors diagnose a lot of diseases, but often an ECG is only a basic method. For a detailed examination, echocardiography is used. An ECG can be used to diagnose:

• angina pectoris
• coronary heart disease,
• blockades,
• arrhythmia,
• bradycardia,
• hypertrophy of the heart muscle,
• scarring in the myocardium,
• myocardial infarction, etc.

If the patient has heart pathology, the doctor prescribes appropriate treatment. When pathological changes are diagnosed in a child, the cardiologist prescribes an additional consultation with a pediatrician. Sometimes consultation with a neurologist and endocrinologist is required.

More:

How to decipher an ECG analysis, norms and deviations, pathologies and diagnostic principles

An electrocardiogram (ECG) of the heart is the simplest and most quick method checking the human cardiovascular system. Suitable for patients of all ages, can even be prescribed to newborns. A cardiogram allows you to identify anomalies and defects, as well as various diseases hearts on early stages. Without such a diagnosis, the cardiologist cannot select effective therapy for the patient.

Why do you need an electrocardiogram (ECG) of the heart?

An ECG makes it possible to obtain accurate information about the work of the heart and its condition during the procedure. The method is safe for health and completely painless, so it can be prescribed many times. This is especially valuable when the doctor needs to monitor the progress of the patient’s treatment.

An electrocardiogram allows you to:

• Determine the frequency of contractions.
• Identify conductivity flaws.
• Calculate the regularity of contractions.
• Diagnose the condition of the myocardium.
• Research possible violations electrolyte balance.
• Rate general physical condition hearts.

Thanks to an ECG, a cardiologist can identify both minor pathologies and serious dysfunctions of the organ. The results of the electrocardiogram are also invaluable in the treatment of non-cardiac pathologies (thromboembolism pulmonary artery and others). A cardiogram helps to detect changes that occur in the heart: deviations of parameters from normal sizes, myocardial infarction and others.

Who should have an electrocardiogram (ECG) of the heart?

People over 40 years of age are at risk of developing abnormalities of the cardiovascular system; cardiologists recommend that this category of patients undergo an ECG annually. for preventive purposes, even if no symptoms of heart disease appear.

Indications for the appointment of an electrocardiogram:

• Pain of various nature in the thoracic region.
• Chronic diseases of the respiratory system.
• Dizziness and fainting.
• Shortness of breath, feeling of lack of air in the absence of physical activity.
• Before surgery.
• Angina pectoris, endocarditis.

Also, an ECG can be prescribed for pregnant women and children before admission to hospital. kindergarten or school. IN mandatory patients are referred for diagnostics diabetes mellitus.

The cardiogram has virtually no contraindications, except perhaps variations in the ECG under load: acute period of myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease, severe heart failure, etc. It is more difficult to take ECG results in obese people, as well as a large number hair in the area chest. In patients with a pacemaker, the data may be distorted.

How is an ECG taken?

The procedure for taking an electrocardiogram takes place in a calm environment, the patient should not be nervous or worried. There is no special preliminary preparation for a heart study; however, in order for the results to be reliable, doctors categorically do not recommend that their patients drink alcohol, strong coffee, or energy cocktails on the day of the study. You should also not play sports, you should also avoid junk food(at least 2-3 hours before the ECG).

In the diagnostic room, the patient will have to remove all clothing above the waist and expose the lower legs and arms. The procedure is performed in a lying position. The doctor treats the prepared areas of the body with alcohol and a special gel, after which he attaches electrodes (on suction cups) with cuffs.

The electrodes read information about the heart rhythm and send it to the electrocardiograph. The device processes the data and produces the result in the form of a graphic curve, which is printed on paper tape. In some modern modifications, the result is transferred immediately to the doctor’s computer.

The process of taking an ECG is short, usually takes 10-15 minutes. After completing the diagnosis, you need to cleanse your body of the remaining gel and get dressed. The interpretation of the results is usually performed by the doctor who performed the electrocardiogram or by the specialist who referred the patient for examination.

Contact medical centers"President-Med" to make an ECG (electrocardiogram) of the heart

More than a century has passed since scientists discovered the heart's ability to produce electrical impulses in small doses.

This discovery marked the beginning of the science of electrocardiology, integral part which is electrocardiography. This section studies electric current, arising in the heart or affecting it from the outside.

Electrocardiography is capable of recording electrical potentials that arise during relaxation and contraction of the myocardium in a certain time period.

These impulses spread throughout the body and reach the skin.

A special device - an electrocardiograph - records these potentials and produces the result in the form of a graphic image, called an electrocardiogram. It can be printed on paper or displayed on a monitor screen.

Electrocardiography can serve various purposes:

• Assess the effectiveness of heart medications, pacemakers and other methods of therapy.
• Identify and monitor the dynamics of the development of heart diseases such as arrhythmia, intracardiac conduction disorders (blockades) and metabolism necessary for the functioning of the heart (potassium, magnesium, calcium). Here you can determine myocardial damage, the physical condition of the organ, acute cardiac pathologies and non-cardiac diseases (for example, pulmonary embolism).

An ECG is a very simple procedure with virtually no contraindications. It is allowed to be done to women during pregnancy and even to newborns upon discharge from the hospital. In emergency cases, a cardiogram is taken by an ambulance paramedic in a special vehicle, at the patient’s home, and even on the street.

Most often, the procedure is carried out in district clinics, hospitals, specialized clinics, sanatorium and resort institutions. This takes no more than 10 minutes and causes absolutely no discomfort to the subject.

However, with all positive aspects Electrocardiography also has disadvantages. Here, the short duration of the procedure is most often noted.

The operating principle of any electrocardiograph is based on the propagation of cardiac impulses. They are able to move by reducing the polarization of the cell electrodes. At rest the surfaces of all muscle cells hearts have a positive charge.

At such a moment there is no potential difference and, accordingly, it is impossible to register the electric field.

Electrical impulses in the heart usually originate in the sinoatrial (sinus) node.

It is located near the superior vena cava in the right atrium. The node is a specialized cell with the ability to automatically produce electrical impulses. The latter spread from the sinoatrial node first to the right, then to the left atrium.

The result of the propagation of electrical signals through the atria and ventricles is their contraction. The result is the flow of blood to the lungs and into the circulatory system.

Heart cardiogram: recording technique and scope of application

Registration by an electrocardiograph of the potential difference between two points electric field the heart is called a lead.

When recording a cardiac cardiogram, standard leads are recorded from two limbs by alternately connecting paired electrodes. Three standard positions form a triangular figure (Einthoven triangle).

Cardiogram recording of the heart is carried out in calm state patient. In some cases, the specialist records the ECG during inspiration, asking the patient to take a deep breath.

When analyzing ECG results, the cardiologist must have necessary knowledge and skills to decipher graphic images.

Electrocardiography is prescribed not only for existing or suspected heart disease. The doctor may recommend an ECG in the form of preventative measure, as well as during clinical examination and annual medical examination.

If there are no suspicions of abnormalities, a cardiac cardiogram is done upon receipt of a medical book for employment. Children are given an ECG upon admission to kindergarten, and according to the new rules, they are required to provide it to the head of the sports section and the children involved in it. In addition, ECGs are often performed on pregnant women before giving birth. Patients with diabetes mellitus must be examined without fail, even in the absence of indications.

The referral for the study is given by the attending physician or cardiologist. Indications for an urgent procedure include pain in the heart, fainting, dizziness, hypertension, swelling of the legs, and weakness in the joints.

Electrocardiography: types of diagnostics

The first device capable of recording a high-quality ECG was a string galvanometer designed by V. Einthoven. Its basis was a very thin thread, which was in a magnetic field under a certain voltage. He created a new direction in the physiology of blood circulation - electrophysiology of the heart.

The first such equipment was very bulky and weighed 270 kg.

V. Einthoven identified the main teeth, intervals and ECG segments, and also calculated their time intervals. He also proposed a system for placing electrodes on the surface of the patient’s body. These data are used by cardiologists to this day.

The jagged edges are the ups and downs of a graph.. In electrocardiography, a segment is a section of a straight line between two teeth. An electrocardiogram can show cardiac dysfunction in the early stages, as well as consider the possibilities for the development of serious pathologies.

However, an ECG does not always accurately determine the presence of a disease. For example, a disturbance in the rhythm of the heart (arrhythmia) during a study at rest may “lurk” and not manifest itself.

Therefore, the specialist chooses another examination method, there are several of them:

1. At rest — standard method, used most often. The patient lies on the couch in a relaxed state.
2. With load- during this procedure, the doctor will first take electrocardiograph readings, then ask the patient to perform simple physical exercise(bending, squatting), after which he examines again using the device. In addition, it is possible to use other methods - bicycle ergometry and treadmill test. In the first case, a bicycle ergometer is used (a device similar to an exercise bike with varying resistance of the pedals), in the second, a treadmill (a moving track). For each type of examination, electrodes connected to a computer are applied to the patient's body. The doctor monitors and analyzes the readings during the procedure.
3. Daily (Holter) monitoring- This method takes the longest time. When using it, adhesive electrodes are attached to the body of the subject. They are connected to a device that is attached to the belt or worn over the shoulder on a belt. It weighs no more than half a kilogram, so it does not cause any particular inconvenience.

The patient should keep a diary in which he indicates information about changes in physical activity, emotional overload, time of taking medications, sleep and wakefulness. Here he describes pain in the heart area and a feeling of discomfort that can arise during certain activities.

There are two options for Holter monitoring: full-scale and fragmented.

The first continues continuously for 1-3 days, resulting in accurate and full information about abnormalities in the functioning of the heart.

Fragmented monitoring can take more than long term. It is resorted to only when cardiac dysfunction occurs infrequently. Electrocardiography in this case is carried out using a special device.

To record deviations, the subject turns on the ECG recording button when pain occurs. The apparatus for such research is very miniature: it can be a pocket version or a device in the form of a wristwatch.

A sterile electrode is inserted into the subject's esophagus. This is usually done through the nasopharynx, less often through the mouth. The patient must make swallowing movements. But do not be alarmed - the transesophageal electrophysiological examination of the heart (TECFE) probe is thin and its insertion usually does not cause difficulties. At the same time, electrodes are attached to the chest to record an electrocardiogram.

The electrode is inserted approximately 40 cm - where the heart is closest to the esophagus. After this, they begin to record a cardiogram, and the probe begins to send weak electrical signals to the heart, causing it to contract more often.

At the end of the study, the electrode is removed from the esophagus.

In electrocardiography, there are instrumental methods for studying the functioning of the heart muscle. These include, for example, phonocardiography. In this case, a special microphone records the sounds made when the heart muscle is excited and relaxed. As a rule, the audition is carried out by an experienced specialist with good hearing, which is able to separate heart murmurs and sounds from pathological sounds.

The book by V.V. Murashko “Electrocardiography” contains other methods of conducting research. Its cost is low, but it will be very useful for those who want to master the basics of ECG.

How to do an ECG correctly: preparation and conduct of the procedure

For those who do not know how to do an ECG correctly, do not worry: electrocardiography does not require special training. However, some nuances still exist. It is advisable to refrain from eating heavy food 2 hours before the procedure.

Also, do not be nervous, play sports, drink energy cocktails or alcohol, as well as strong coffee or tea. Before the examination, women do not need to apply lotion or cream to their body; they should remove any jewelry from their wrists and chest area: bracelets, rings, chains, etc.

The chest electrodes have a special suction cup that is attached to the body due to the vacuum created. The specialist taking the readings knows very well how to do an ECG correctly, so it is unlikely that he will be able to confuse the wires connecting the suction cups to the device.

Before starting work, the device must be warmed up (3-5 minutes is enough). After this, the position of the recorder pen is adjusted, giving a calibration signal by turning on a special button.

Contraindications for conducting an ECG no - the study can be carried out even on infants.

In this case, the procedure for collecting data from a child is similar to that carried out by adults. Only the result will be different - for example, children have more high speed heart rate.

Some children are afraid of all people in white coats, so they can be very nervous before the procedure. Before it starts, parents should relieve stress in their children - give them a favorite toy, show a funny picture or photo (you can do it on your phone). An older child can be told about the study in advance and game form show how to do an ECG correctly.

The examination procedure may be difficult for those with complex chest injuries, high obesity, or excessive chest hair - in this case, the electrodes will not adhere tightly to the skin and the examination result will be distorted. The presence of a pacemaker will also lead to incorrect results.

Transesophageal examination cannot be performed in the presence of tumors or other diseases of the esophagus. ECG with stress is contraindicated in acute infectious diseases, chronic heart failure, coronary disease heart, complex rhythm disturbances, in acute period myocardial infarction. Also, you should not do this if there is an exacerbation of diseases of other body systems - urinary, respiratory, digestive.

Normal cardiogram of a healthy heart and what it looks like

In a healthy adult normal cardiogram(cardiogram healthy heart) is considered to be a curve in sinus rhythm.

Heart rate (HR) is 60-80 beats per minute, EOS ( electric axle heart) - in a standard position.

PQ interval (period of the excitation wave passing through the atria and atrioventricular node to the ventricular myocardium) - 0.12-0.18 seconds. (up to 0.2).

No changes in rhythm or tone (arrhythmia, bradycardia, tachycardia) were detected.

Increased heart rate is possible in pregnant women or overly emotional individuals. In elderly patients, on the contrary, there is a slowing of the heart rate or morphological pathologies of the myocardium.

Only a specialist with a medical education can correctly decipher the cardiogram and describe the obtained ECG parameters.

Electrocardiography can accurately diagnose various diseases of the cardiovascular system - ischemia, abnormalities in the development of conduction pathways, cardiac aneurysm, extrasystole, angina pectoris and many others.

The most serious diagnosis with electrocardiography is myocardial infarction. It is here that you can first detect areas of damaged or dead tissue, determine the specific location (in which wall of the heart) and the depth of the lesion. An ECG easily distinguishes the acute phase of a heart attack from old scars and aneurysms.

In case of a heart attack, the ECG procedure is performed more than once. The first time this happens is during the first contact with the patient - at home, in an ambulance or in a hospital waiting room. If there are no changes in the graphic image, but if symptoms are present, the procedure is repeated after 6 hours - by this time the symptoms usually appear in full force.

After this, diagnostics are carried out daily, and during recovery - once every few days. Thus, over the entire period the patient is examined at least 10 times.

The patient must always remember that taking care of his health should only be entrusted to a specialist. This fully applies to the electrocardiography procedure. You should not neglect the doctor’s prescription and you should not try to decipher the ECG yourself, even if you are sure that the result will be a normal cardiogram.

A cardiogram of a healthy heart, like an ECG with abnormalities, can only be read correctly by a doctor.

Only a person with a medical education is able to obtain the data obtained as a result of the examination, clinical symptoms and the result of the study, assessing the risk of critical illness. Otherwise, there is a possibility of underestimating the ECG, which can lead to fatal consequences.