Cardio ECG

ECG is a record of the changes in electric potentials occurring during the contraction of the heart. Electrocardiography forms the basis of many other diagnostic investigations – Holter monitoring, bicycle ergometry, transoesophageal recording of ECG, pharmacological tests with ECG, remote ECG and monitoring in intensive care or during operations. Electrocardiography is absolutely harmless and painless as a diagnostic tool. ECG can be conducted unlimited times, whenever needed.

What are the indications for ECG recording?

Cardiovascular system pathologies are, in most cases, the causes of disability and death. Currently, 15 million patients have received discouraging diagnoses, and this number is constantly growing. It’s not surprising that electrocardiography is becoming one of the most relevant and mandatory methods for diagnosing and preventing various heart diseases.

Essentially, any situations requiring heart function assessment:

• Cardiac rhythm disturbances (arrhythmias)
• Hypertensive disease (to evaluate heart condition)
• Coronary heart disease
• Infectious, inflammatory, and metabolic heart pathologies
• Screening is indicated for people over 40, alcohol abusers, and smokers
• People whose professional activities require enhanced cardiac fitness – pilots, drivers, military personnel, athletes, etc.
• Pregnancy screening

There are no contraindications for ECG recording.

ECG Principle 

The ECG device works by having sensors placed on the patient’s body that detect the vector and strength of the electrical charge that the heart creates during its operation. Changes in the electrical charge vector are recorded on paper tape as a graph. Analysis of this graph allows conclusions about the heart’s proper functioning and possible diseases.

Electrocardiogram recording is performed in:

• three standard leads;
• 12 leads.

 

Types of ECG Devices

There are different types of ECG devices used by doctors to monitor cardiac conditions.

• Holter Monitor. Implies a 24 hour (or longer) continuous ECG monitoring device. Small plastic patches called electrodes are placed at particular sites on your chest, arms, and legs. Once the electrodes are linked to the ECG system through some leads, it measures, interprets and prints the heart’s electrical activity for a physician to review more in detail.
• Portable Event Monitor. This wearable device is like a Holter monitor, but records only selected times for several minutes. Unlike a Holter monitor, which typically only lasts 30 days, it has the endurance to be worn for an extended period of time. Typically, you press a button when you have symptoms. Irregular rhythms can be recognised automatically by some devices, triggering recording of their activity.
• Wearable ECG Monitor. For analysis of heart health, you can wear a fitness tracker with a heart rate monitor or a fitness smartwatch. Unlike these devices or watches that put electrodes on the skin, you must simply hold your finger over the digital crown for 30 seconds. At the end, you will be informed on whether that curve has registered a normal (sinus rhythm) or an abnormal heartbeat.

What are the advantages of a portable ECG device?

• Atrial Fibrillation. It is a relatively common but potentially lethal irregularity of the heartbeat that results in palpitation and rapid heartbeat. It comes and goes, which makes it difficult to notice. You can monitor your heart for most of the day with a portable ECG device—unlike when you have to get an ECG at the hospital.
• Arrhythmia. Long QT Syndrome is a chronic arrhythmia that contributes to irregular heartbeat that may result in syncope and ultimately death. Similar to atrial fibrillation, this condition occurs in exercise and stress, making portable ECG devices quite handy for their detection among many other reasons. This alone could save your life — being able to get readings while at the gym or during your workout.

Norav Medical has been engaged in innovative developments in diagnostic cardiology for many years. Our company’s goal is to improve the quality of ECG data analysis. Our expanded range of cardiac solutions, including portable cardio ECG devices, can meet the needs for accurate diagnosis and create unparalleled quality patient care.

 

References

Garikapati, K., Turnbull, S., Bennett, R. G., Campbell, T. G., Kanawati, J., Wong, M. S., … & Kumar, S. (2022). The role of contemporary wearable and handheld devices in the diagnosis and management of cardiac arrhythmias. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 31(11), 1432-1449.

Ramkumar, S., Nerlekar, N., D’Souza, D., Pol, D. J., Kalman, J. M., & Marwick, T. H. (2018). Atrial fibrillation detection using single lead portable electrocardiographic monitoring: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ open, 8(9), e024178.