ECG / EKG / Electrocardiogram

ECG is a very old & time tested test in the evaluation of a heart patient. Although many more advanced tests have come up in the recent times, this test still has a very important role to play in the practice of medicine.

Basically, in simple language, it is the record (obtained by the machine from the surface of the heart) of the electrical impulses of the heart.

Vast ammount of information is obtained from this seemingly simple test.

Amongst the common information that we get is :

1) Heart Rate

2) Heart Rhythm - Can be Sinus (normal) / Supraventricular / Ventricular

3) Blocks in conduction system.

4) Axis

5) Normal / Abnormal complexes - Enlargement / hypertrophy of chambers

6) Evidence of ischaemic heart disease.

Obtaining an ECG is an important aspect of the evaluation of a cardiac or even a non cardiac patient.