Electrocardiogram (ECG)

ECG is widely used in detecting the heart related problems. Electrocardiogram or ECG or also sometimes referred to as

EKG, is a graph that is being produced by an electrocardiograph that records the electrical movement of the heart over a prescribed time.

An ECG or Electrocardiogram establishes the on the spot effects of alteration in activity or medication levels, if a

person is on medications that affects the heart or is on a pacemaker for the proper rythmicity. An ECG or Electrocardiogram is a part of a scheduled examination in patients over the age of 40 years.

Investigation of the various waves and normal vectors of depolarization and re-polarization provides important diagnostic information regarding the present status or the condition of the heart. The results are documented on graph paper. ECG or Electrocardiogram is used to calculate the following:-

Rate and reliability of heart beats
Size and position of the chambers
The presence of any damage to the heart
The effects of drugs or devices used to regulate the heart.
Diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias
Detecting electrolyte imbalances.
It analyses management and risk stratification for acute MI or myocardial infarction patients.
The ECG or electrocardiogram indirectly assesses the increased or decreased contractility of the heart.
ECG or Electrocardiogram also helps in sensing non-cardiac diseases like hypothermia and pulmonary embolism.
It is good screening tools for ischemic heart disease or IHD in a cardiac stress test and detects conduction anomalies.

The heart beats about 72 times per minute and the rhythm is steady and even in the normal conditions. An abnormal ECG or Electrocardiogram results may point to heart inflammation, heart valve disease, arrhythmia, and defect in cardiac muscle, tachycardia, congenital defects, myo-carditis, heart attack, electrolyte imbalance and coronary heart disease or CHD.

A person who apprehends heart related problems or has had a history of a heart attack may need more than one ECG or Electrocardiogram. Healthy people need not undergo yearly testing apart from they have innate risks or any other medical complications.

It is important to be free from all kinds of stress free, calm and warm during ECG or Electrocardiogram recording. Any movement revises the tracing. No risk of astound is involved, as ECG or Electrocardiogram simply monitors the electrical impulses and does not release electrical impulse.

There are no limitations for food or fluids. Though, ingestion of cold water right away before an ECG or Electrocardiogram may make changes in the wave-forms recorded (the “T” wave). Use of medicines should be exposed to the doctor. All ornaments should be removed, prior to test and the medical robe is to be worn.

An arrhythmia is un-rhythmic condition of heart that leads to heart to skip a beat. Digoxin falls in to the category of medicines known as cardiac glycosides. Digoxin is used to treat arrhythmias and heart failure. Digoxin rectifies irregular heartbeats to a normal rhythm and slows a hyper-active heart, particularly after a heart attack.

Digoxin also fortifies the force of the heart beat. Side effects of Digoxin are many like

Loss of appetite
Headache
Illness
Diarrhea
Tummy pain
Problems with eye sight
Tiredness
Rash
Drowsiness
Confusion
Depression
Fluttering heart beat.