What is an ECG?
An Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG) is a painless test that records the electrical activity of the heart. It shows heart rhythm, rate, and can detect various cardiac conditions. At Dashvanth Healthcare Delhi, ECG is available as a walk-in service with immediate results.
What Does an ECG Measure?
- Heart Rate: Normal 60–100 beats per minute. Below 60 = bradycardia. Above 100 = tachycardia.
- Heart Rhythm: Regular or irregular. Identifies arrhythmias.
- P-Wave: Atrial depolarisation (atria contracting). Absent in atrial fibrillation.
- PR Interval: Normal 0.12–0.20 seconds. Prolonged = heart block.
- QRS Complex: Ventricular depolarisation. Widened = bundle branch block.
- ST Segment: ST elevation = acute heart attack. ST depression = ischaemia.
- T-Wave: Ventricular repolarisation. Inverted T-waves = ischaemia, hypertrophy.
- QT Interval: Prolonged QT = risk of dangerous arrhythmias.
Conditions an ECG Can Detect
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction) – ST elevation
- Angina (heart ischaemia)
- Atrial fibrillation and other arrhythmias
- Heart block
- Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH)
- Electrolyte abnormalities (high/low potassium)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pericarditis
When is an ECG Needed?
- Chest pain or pressure
- Palpitations or irregular heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- Fainting or dizziness
- Pre-operative assessment
- Routine heart check-up
Limitations
A normal ECG does not rule out all heart disease. A 24-hour Holter monitor is needed for intermittent arrhythmias. Stress ECG (Treadmill Test) is used for exercise-induced ischaemia.
ECG at Dashvanth Healthcare Delhi: 011-41670042. Immediate results.
