ECG - ECG at rest and exercise ECG

The abbreviation ECG stands for electrocardiography which is carried out with an electrocardiograph (ECG device or ECG). The result of the examination is the electrocardiogram (ECG) that has to be interpreted by a physician.

Before the heart contracts, an electrical impulse is triggered by the sinoartrial node that is passed on to heart muscle cells. The change of the electrical voltage caused by this process can be measured by electrodes placed on the skin and depicted at the electrocardiogram in its temporal course.

On the one hand, the ECG can be undergone at rest while lying. At the other hand, the ECG is also possible at stress, a so-called exercise ECG, for example, while kicking the pedals of an ergometer. Here the stress is increased in order to get an overview of how the heart reacts while exercising. The blood pressure is also measured during exercise ECG.

Indication ECG: when is an ECG carried out?
Normally, the ECG is carried to examine if a heart disease is prevalent or to test heart efficiency. The ECG examines, for example,

• heart frequency
• heart rhythm
• the heart´s electrical axis
• electrical activity of atrium and chamber of the heart
• heart efficiency

Course ECG
If the ECG takes place at rest, it does not necessitate any preparation. After placing electrodes on the skin, the ECG examination is done in a few seconds. If the exercise ECG is performed, it is adisable to eat and drink before the examination to prevent patients from collapsing and to ensure a sufficient energy supply. It can be comfortable to wear convenient clothes during the exercise ECG. The examiantion lasts about 10-20 minutes subject to individual training status.