Get To Know Electrocardiograms

Getting Ready For An ECG

How you get ready for an ECG varies based on which one you need. That said, there are some basic tips! Ladies, don't drink caffeine or alcohol before these tests. You have to avoid heavy meals and exercise before a stress test. Wearing loose clothes is a good idea for all types of ECGs! Of course, you need to take off jewelry and lipstick before one of these tests.

Sometimes, you will have to take your shirt off so the technician can attach the electrodes. Ladies, you also need to keep your skin free of lotions! Lotions and other products make it harder for the electrodes to stay attached.

Interpreting The Results

A technician or your doctor will interpret your ECG results. They do it from the ECG strip! That's where your heart's electrical activity is shown as a wave. Your doctor knows when the waves show your heart pumping blood and contracting the way it should be. Of course, the waves will also let your doctor know how fast or slow the electrical signals travel through your heart.

The last point is essential. Ladies, parts of your heart slow these signals down. One of them is the AV node. When they slow down because of this node, it's normal! However, there are abnormal ways for the signals to slow down or speed up. Your doctor can tell the differences in the waves on your ECG strip! In many cases, your doctor will also want to look at readings with your blood pressure, breathing rate, and carbon dioxide levels.