Electrocardiogram (ECG)

An electrocardiogram is a quick, safe and pain-free test that detects and records the heart’s electrical activity. It assesses the heart’s rhythm and rate, and can also detect signs of heart diseases and potential cardiac enlargements.

An electrocardiogram may be required to assess the heart’s rate and rhythm of the patient, and it may be needed before performing a surgery to check the effects of pacemakers, or as routine check-up after a cardiac surgery. Very often, in assessment of patient presenting with chest discomfort, ECG is used to determine whether the concerned patient is suffering from heart attack or not.

In addition, the results of electrocardiogram allow the doctor to determine heart problems including irregular heartbeat, irregular blood flow to the heart muscle, cardiac birth defects, and heart valve disease. They can also be used to determine if part of the heart is enlarged or over-loaded.