The electrocardiogram, or ECG, is an exam done to assess the electrical activity of the heart, thus observing the rhythm, the amount and the speed of its beats.
This examination is done by a device that draws graphs about this information of the heart, and, if there is any disease, such as arrhythmias, murmurs or even a heart attack, these graphs, which are interpreted by the general practitioner or cardiologist, may be altered.
Electrocardiogram price
The price of the electrocardiogram can vary between 50 and 200 reais, depending on the clinic, hospital or cardiologist, however, if performed by SUS, it is not charged.
When it's necessary
The electrocardiogram can be requested in a routine consultation, for check-up, as it is able to detect some silent diseases, such as some mild arrhythmias, heart murmurs, or even the onset of infarction. Thus, this test is very useful to detect diseases, such as:
- Cardiac arrhythmias, which can happen due to an accelerated, slowed or out of time heartbeat, which may present symptoms such as palpitations, dizziness or fainting; Acute myocardial infarction, which can be the cause of chest pain or burning, dizziness and shortness of breath; Inflammation of the heart walls, caused by pericarditis or myocarditis, which can be suspected when there is chest pain, shortness of breath, fever and malaise; Heart murmur, due to changes in the valves and in the heart walls, which generally cause dizziness and shortness of breath; Cardiac arrest, because in this case, the heart loses its electrical activity, and, if not reversed quickly, causes brain death.
This exam is also requested by the cardiologist to monitor the improvement or worsening of diseases, and also, if medications for arrhythmia or pacemakers are being effective. Learn about other tests to assess the heart.
How is done
The electrocardiogram can be done at the hospital, in clinics or at the cardiologist's office, as it is practical and fast, besides not causing pain. To do this, the patient is lying on a stretcher, and if necessary, the wrists, ankles and chest are cleaned with cotton and alcohol, as in these regions, cables and small metallic contacts are fixed, which they are connected to the electrocardiogram device, as shown in image 1.
The metallic contacts, which are the electrodes, capture the heartbeat and the machine records them on paper using a graph that is then analyzed by the cardiologist, as shown in image 2.
Although there are no contraindications, the test result may not be reliable in people who are unable to stand still, such as by tremors or parkinson's, for example.
