Electrocardiogram (with analysis)

Electrocardiogram (ECG) – an essential test for assessing your heart health!

A thorough electrocardiogram (ECG) examination provides important information about your heart’s function. The ECG graphically records the electrical activity of the heart muscle, allowing the physician to perform a detailed analysis of cardiac function. During an exercise ECG, also known as a stress test or bicycle ergometry, the electrocardiogram is recorded while the patient performs physical exercise (pedaling a special bicycle), which helps determine the heart’s response to increasing workload.

The electrical currents of the heart are generated and controlled by the cardiac conduction system. These currents, with a voltage of approximately 1/1000 volts, ensure the regular beating of the heart and are generated by the sinoatrial node – the natural pacemaker of the heart. The impulses travel through the conduction system to reach the cardiac muscle cells, enabling synchronized contraction of the heart muscle.

With the help of an electrocardiogram, these electrical processes are recorded using small metal electrodes attached to specific areas of the body. This method provides a comprehensive insight into heart function and helps identify possible heart conditions.

What can be detected with an ECG?

An electrocardiogram provides information about:

• Heart rhythm and rate;
• Disturbances in the formation, conduction, and repolarization of electrical impulses within the heart’s conduction system and myocardium.

Recorded ECG tracings allow the diagnosis of the following conditions:

• Cardiac arrhythmias (including their location, duration, and severity);
• Acute or past myocardial ischemic events (e.g., heart attack);
• Effects of medication overdose on the heart;
• Myocardial inflammation (myocarditis);
• Inflammation of the pericardium (pericarditis);
• Thickening of the heart walls (hypertrophy) or pathological strain on the right or left ventricle.

Types of ECG.

Resting ECG (12-lead):

This examination is performed with the patient in a lying position. It is used when there is suspicion of cardiovascular diseases, as well as during general health check-ups (screening). However, this method does not always detect transient cardiac arrhythmias.

Long-term ECG (Holter Monitoring):

In this case, data is recorded continuously for 24 to 72 hours using a portable ECG device. It is used when there is suspicion of cardiac arrhythmias, pacemaker malfunction, or to evaluate the effectiveness of heart rate regulation.

Stress ECG (Veloergometry) – 12-lead ECG:

This examination is performed while the patient is on a special bicycle ergometer, following a standardized exercise protocol. It is used to assess heart function under physical stress or when there is suspicion of heart diseases, such as coronary artery disease.

Preparation: No special preparation is required.