More commonly known as ECG or EKG in Singapore, an electrocardiogram records and measures the heart’s electrical activity at rest. It is a painless and non-invasive test that is used to quickly detect cardiovascular issues and monitor your heart’s condition.
The three main types of ECG are:
This section will focus on the resting ECG and what to expect for this investigative procedure.
The test is painless, non-invasive, and provides valuable data about your heart’s condition. An electrocardiogram provides data on:
It is often used to detect and check for:
Above that, an ECG is also done during the routine physical examination or health check-up to get a picture of your heart’s current function and how it compares with previous results.
Your doctor may recommend you get an ECG if you experience symptoms such as:
Above that, an electrocardiogram can also be done in preparation for surgery. If you have a personal or family history of heart conditions, an ECG should also be part of your annual health check-up to ensure that symptoms can be caught as soon as it arises.
The electrocardiogram test itself should only take between 5-8 minutes. It is completely non-invasive and painless. Below is a list of things you should expect before, during, and after an ECG.
There is no specific preparation you need to do before an ECG test. You can eat and drink as usual. Come in comfortable two-piece clothing as you will be asked to remove your upper clothing and change into a gown.
An important note is that oftentimes a resting ECG test, as described above, is just one part of the diagnostic process. Other tests can be taken within the same day, such as:
Your cardiologist will inform you of all tests scheduled beforehand so that you may prepare accordingly.
An ECG is safe, non-invasive and very common. There are no absolute contraindications that would make you unsuitable for an ECG test. There are, however, certain conditions that may interfere with the ECG readings. These include:
If any of the aforementioned conditions apply to you, be sure to notify your doctor so they can make the necessary preparations and take into consideration your condition when interpreting your results.
An electrocardiogram allows your cardiologist to:
In conclusion, an ECG is a simple, painless, and yet incredibly valuable test that provides a general outline of your heart’s condition and has had a long history in aiding doctors to give care to their patients.
It is a very important tool in determining the next step in your diagnosis and treatment. As always, discuss all your options with your cardiologist to find a plan that you are most comfortable with.
Dr Devinder Singh is the Medical Director of Cadence Heart Centre. He is an experienced Senior Consultant Cardiologist & Cardiac Electrophysiologist with over 20 years of clinical experience.
His expertise lies in clinical cardiology, cardiac rhythm disorders (arrhythmia), cardiac pacing (including cardiac resynchronisation therapy) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. He performs electrophysiology studies and radiofrequency ablation of cardiac arrhythmias, and is well versed in pacemaker and defibrillator insertions.
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