Electrocardiogram

Electrocardiogram

Electrocardiogram: what is it?

The electrocardiogram, also known as ECG or electrocardiography, is used to check for possible heart problems by measuring the heart rate, and to monitor treatments designed to treat these diseases.

This test is essential for patients who have symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, dizziness or fainting, but it is also indicated as part of routine cardiac check-ups.

Knowing what an electrocardiogram is and how it works to prevent heart problems can make all the difference to your quality of life.

It makes it possible to identify early changes in cardiac electrical activity which, if left untreated, can develop into serious illnesses. The electrocardiogram is one of the most important resources in modern cardiology.

This test is widely used in different clinical contexts. It can be carried out both in emergency situations and in routine consultations, providing a quick and safe analysis of heart health.

Because it is a simple, painless and low-cost procedure, it has become one of the first tests requested by cardiologists when investigating any suspected heart abnormality.

In addition, the electrocardiogram with report plays a fundamental role in assessing patients with chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia, who are at high risk of cardiovascular events.

The test is also used to check the effects of drugs that act on the cardiovascular system, such as antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic drugs, and to monitor the progress of treatments or cardiac surgery.

In cases of outpatient follow-up, the ECG can serve as a comparative basis with previous exams, making it possible to observe changes in the beat pattern and identify possible progressive changes, such as thickening of the heart walls or signs of silent ischemia.

If you are in São Paulo and need an electrocardiogram with a report, know that Instituto Medicina em Foco has a state-of-the-art structure and specialized professionals to offer the best care to patients.

The clinic is located at Rua Frei Caneca, 1380, Consolação – São Paulo – SP – CEP 01307-000, with easy access for those looking for quality cardiology care.

Schedule your appointment with a cardiologist in São Paulo (SP) by calling +55 11 3289-3195.

Difference between electrocardiogram and echocardiogram

Although both tests assess the functioning of the heart, they have different and complementary objectives within cardiology.

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): evaluates the electrical activity of the heart, and is ideal for detecting arrhythmias, heart blockages, ischemia and electrical conduction disorders. The ECG shows whether the heart’s electrical impulses are occurring in an orderly and efficient manner. It is essential in the rapid diagnosis of emergencies such as acute myocardial infarction.
• Echocardiogram: uses ultrasound to observe the anatomical structures of the heart in real time, such as the valves, heart walls and blood flow. This test can identify structural problems such as murmurs, hypertrophy, valve dysfunction and the presence of fluid around the heart, such as pericardial effusion.

Both tests are safe, painless and often ordered together to get a complete picture of the patient’s heart health. The ECG provides an electrical functional view, while the echocardiogram shows the structure and movement.

The electrocardiogram is often the first step in a cardiology investigation. When there is a need for a more detailed analysis, the doctor can complement this with other tests, such as a doppler echocardiogram, exercise test or 24-hour Holter monitoring.

Are you in doubt about which test to take? Make an appointment with a cardiologist at Instituto Medicina em Foco and receive personalized advice.

When should I have an electrocardiogram?

You should consider having an electrocardiogram in the following situations:

• During routine check-ups, especially after the age of 40.
• If you experience chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or fainting.
• If you have a family history of heart disease.
• To monitor the progress of conditions such as arrhythmias, hypertension or heart failure.
• Before starting intense physical activities, such as in gyms or competitive sports.
• As part of the preoperative assessment.
• To investigate side effects of medications that affect the heart, such as some types of antidepressants or thyroid medications.
• In patients with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity or high cholesterol, who are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

The electrocardiogram with report is ordered by cardiologists to confirm clinical suspicions or rule out more serious problems. In many cases, this test is the first step to accurately protecting your cardiovascular health.

It’s important to remember that even asymptomatic people can have changes in their heart that can only be detected by routine tests. That’s why seeing a cardiologist in São Paulo (SP) regularly is essential to keep your heart healthy.

Don’t wait for the symptoms to get worse. Get tested by the best cardiologist in São Paulo. Call +55 11 3289-3195.

Electrocardiogram in Sports Medicine

Regular physical activity is essential for heart health, but it also requires care.

The electrocardiogram test with report is required in evaluations for sports clearance, participation in competitions and the start of physical rehabilitation programs, especially among people over 40 or with a family history of heart disease.

At the Instituto Medicina em Foco, care is given to both amateur and professional athletes, with a focus on preventing cardiovascular events during physical exertion.

Do you play sports? Get a cardiologist’s assessment in São Paulo (SP). Call +55 11 3289-3195 and get your electrocardiogram safely.

Electrocardiogram in other areas of medicine

Although the electrocardiogram is best known in cardiology, its use extends to various other areas of health, making it a versatile and indispensable tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of patients.

In Sports Medicine, for example, an electrocardiogram with a report is essential in sports clearance assessments. It is required for participation in competitions, the start of intense training and physical rehabilitation programs, especially for people over 40 or with a family history of heart disease.

The test identifies arrhythmias or electrical alterations that could pose a risk during physical activity. At Instituto Medicina em Foco, this service is aimed at both amateur and professional athletes.

The ECG is also requested in:

• Geriatrics, for monitoring elderly patients with multiple cardiovascular comorbidities;
• Endocrinology, especially in patients with diabetes or thyroid dysfunction, which can affect the heart rhythm;
• Neurology, in cases of syncope, seizures and evaluation of stroke sequelae;
• Psychiatry, for monitoring patients who use drugs that interfere with the electrical conduction of the heart, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics;
• Anesthesiology, in preoperative cardiovascular risk assessments;
• Obstetrics, during the prenatal care of pregnant women with gestational hypertension or cardiac risk.

This wide application reinforces the importance of the electrocardiogram with report as a screening test in different medical specialties. It contributes to safer clinical decisions, early diagnosis and the definition of therapeutic approaches.

Schedule your electrocardiogram at the Instituto Medicina em Foco in São Paulo (SP) with experienced specialists. Call +55 11 3289-3195

How is an electrocardiogram done?

The test is carried out by placing electrodes on the chest of the person being examined. These electrodes are able to measure the electrical activity of the heart, showing the speed and regularity of the patient’s beats. To carry out the test, the health professional positions the patient in the supine position (belly up), cleans the skin to remove any grease, dust or other substances that might make it difficult to attach the electrodes and, finally, attaches the electrodes with the help of a specific gel to the patient’s chest, arms and legs.

These electrodes are electrical sensors connected to the electrocardiograph, the machine that will transform the electrical signals into a graph that will be analyzed by the cardiologist.

During the procedure, the patient must remain relaxed and still to ensure the accuracy of the recordings. The examination usually lasts between 5 and 10 minutes and can be carried out in an outpatient setting, without the need for prior preparation or hospitalization.

The electrocardiogram can also be ordered in different formats, such as the resting ECG, the stress ECG (exercise test) or the continuous ECG with 24-hour Holter, depending on the clinical indication. Each of these models provides specific information on the heart’s behavior under different conditions.

This test is painless, fast, safe and widely accessible. At Instituto Medicina em Foco, the electrocardiogram test with report is carried out by an experienced and qualified team, guaranteeing comfort, diagnostic accuracy and humanized patient care.

To schedule your electrocardiogram with report in São Paulo, call +55 11 3289-3195.

Preparing for the exam

The “normal electrocardiogram”, as it is popularly known, only requires the patient to tell us which medications they use, to avoid physical exercise too close to the time of the test and to remove metal objects.

It is also important that the skin is clean and dry, without creams or lotions, as this makes it easier to attach the electrodes and prevents interference in the electrical signals picked up. It is advisable to wear comfortable, two-piece clothing, as the patient will need to remove their top to allow access to the chest.

In addition, the patient should inform their healthcare professional if they have a pacemaker or implantable devices, as these factors can interfere with the ECG reading. People with a lot of hair in the thoracic region can also have part of their hair shaved off to ensure the electrodes adhere optimally.

Other types, however, may require more specific preparation by the patient before the examination, such as:

• ECG exercise test: requires light fasting of up to 2 hours, wearing clothes and shoes suitable for physical activity and medical authorization for controlled exertion.
• 24-hour Holter monitoring: the patient should avoid bathing or activities that get the electrodes wet during monitoring, as well as keeping a diary with the times of activities performed, symptoms and medications.
• Map (Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring)Map: although it is not an electrocardiogram, it is usually performed together for a more complete assessment of patients with hypertension or suspected rhythmic alterations.

That’s why it’s essential to talk to your doctor about the specific preparation instructions for each type of test and ensure that all the steps are carried out correctly.

See a Cardiologist in person at Rua Frei Caneca, 1380, Consolação – São Paulo – SP – CEP 01307-000.

Electrocardiogram with report: what is it?

The electrocardiogram with report is the same test.

However, a cardiologist needs to evaluate the tracing and report the test so that it can be interpreted by any other medical professional. In other words, whether any normality has been observed or whether everything is within normal standards.

The report presents a detailed analysis of the heart tracing, including rhythm, heart rate, presence of arrhythmias, conduction alterations, signs of ischemia or overload of the heart chambers. This makes it an essential tool for both diagnosing and monitoring heart conditions.

This report is especially important in

• Routine check-upsfor preventive assessment of heart health.
• Pre-operative assessments, required for many surgeries.
• Clinical assessments for sports practicesuch as sports medicine.
• Examinations for fitness for work.
• Monitoring chronic heart diseases such as arrhythmias and hypertension.

At Instituto Medicina em Foco, the examination is carried out by qualified professionals and the report is issued by experienced specialists, guaranteeing safety, precision and speed.

Book your electrocardiogram with report now at Instituto Medicina em Foco. Attendance in person or online.

Possible test results

Normally, the results of an electrocardiogram can be seen immediately. However, if any abnormalities are observed, further tests may be necessary, such as an echocardiogram, holter monitor and others, in order to confirm the diagnosis and broaden the assessment of the cardiovascular system.

It is also important to know that a result considered normal does not rule out the possibility of disease. This is why a medical assessment is essential, especially if the patient has persistent symptoms or risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol or a family history of heart problems.

Results

Other common changes include:

• Irregular heart rhythm (atrial fibrillation, extrasystoles).
• Waves or complexes outside the expected pattern.
• ST segment deviations (sign of possible ischemia).
• Presence of bundle branch block or conduction abnormalities.
• Signs of heart chamber growth or ventricular overload.

Some of these findings may be related to important clinical conditions:

• Atrial fibrillation, for example, is one of the main causes of stroke and requires early treatment.
• While bradycardia can be normal in athletes, it can also indicate sinus node dysfunction.
• Bundle branch blocks can be a sign of structural heart changes or ischemia.

Changes like these don’t always indicate a serious illness, but they do warrant detailed investigation.

An electrocardiogram with a report, issued by a cardiologist, is essential for defining the correct clinical approach, be it monitoring, changing medication or carrying out additional tests.

Do you have any doubts about your test? Make an appointment with a cardiologist at Instituto Medicina em Foco, in São Paulo (SP), by calling +55 11 3289-3195 and receive a complete analysis with the best medical care.

Disease Detection

In addition to initial detection, the electrocardiogram is also used to monitor the evolution of these conditions and the response to treatment. Patients taking antiarrhythmic drugs, for example, undergo periodic ECGs to monitor the effectiveness and safety of the therapy.

In addition to detecting these diseases, the ECG can indicate the need for more detailed complementary tests, such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging ,coronary angiography, stress echocardiography, among others, especially when there are persistent clinical doubts or a relevant family history.

This test is a crucial tool not only for diagnosis, but also for monitoring chronic conditions and preoperative assessments. It is widely used both in face-to-face consultations and in telemedicine, with reports issued by specialized cardiologists.

Schedule your examination with a cardiologist in São Paulo and receive a full assessment: +55 11 3289-3195.

Monitoring chronic diseases with an electrocardiogram

The electrocardiogram is an indispensable tool for monitoring chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, heart failure and dyslipidemia.

In these cases, silent changes in the heart’s electrical activity can precede serious events such as acute myocardial infarction or the development of arrhythmias.

Patients with chronic diseases should have an electrocardiogram with report carried out periodically, as advised by their doctor. This routine allows the cardiologist to identify subtle changes, adjust medications and prevent future complications.

At Instituto Medicina em Foco, each patient receives a personalized monitoring plan, based on the most up-to-date cardiology guidelines.

Schedule your follow-up appointment with a cardiologist in São Paulo (SP) by calling +55 11 3289-3195.

Who performs the electrocardiogram at Instituto Medicina em Foco?

At Instituto Medicina em Foco, the electrocardiogram examination with report is conducted by doctors specializing in clinical cardiology, with extensive experience in diagnostic evaluation.

Among the team’s highlights is Dr. Valessa Tanganelli , Cardiologist in São Paulo (SP) with a degree from the Brazilian Society of Cardiology and a humanized approach.

A Dr. Valessa is recognized for her active listening, attention to detail and constant updating of diagnostic methods and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. She also specializes in Cardiology and Echocardiography at the Dante Pazzanese Institute of Cardiology, one of the largest cardiology institutions in Brazil and Latin America.

Patients can opt for face-to-face or online consultations, with flexibility in scheduling and ongoing follow-up.

Schedule your appointment now with the best cardiologist in São Paulo at emfoco.med.br or call +55 11 3289-3195.

Scheduling an electrocardiogram in São Paulo

Finally, if you still have any questions about this or other exams and would like to talk to a qualified professional, remember that the Instituto Medicina em Foco serves you with a total focus on your health and well-being.

Our clinic is located at Rua Frei Caneca, 1380, Consolação – São Paulo – SP – CEP 01307-000, and offers a complete structure for electrocardiograms with reports, consultations with cardiologists and high-precision complementary tests.

Differentials that make Instituto Medicina em Foco the best choice:

• Highly qualified medical team with Cardiologists cardiologists.
• Tests carried out with modern equipment that guarantees precision and comfort.
• Fast service, with the possibility of making an appointment online or in person.
• Fast results, with a timely report.
• A welcoming structure, with a focus on individual and humanized care.

In addition, the patient has the support of a multidisciplinary team, which includes professionals from different specialties for the complete monitoring of cardiovascular health.

Patient testimonial: “I found out I had arrhythmia thanks to an electrocardiogram done at the Instituto Medicina em Foco. The service was fast, attentive and the report came back the same day. Today I have regular follow-ups with Dr. Valessa and I feel much more confident about my health.”

Schedule your exams or medical appointments quickly on the Instituto Medicina em Foco website. Or if you prefer, contact us by phone or WhatsApp: (11) 3289-3195.