Page 42 - Ladysmith-Newcastle Info Guide 2025
P. 42
G HEALTH & BEAUTY
SPECIALIST PRACTITIONER
Our Specialised Services palpitation experienced, the drugs taken as well as and
Resting ECG the time and duration of each event. At the end of the
The resting electrocardiogram is a test that measures testing, the device must be returned to the clinic. The
the electrical activity of the heart. The heart is a recording, made on tape, is digitized by the computer in
muscular organ which pumps blood through rhythmic order to be decoded and analyzed by the cardiologist.
contractions induced by electric impulses generated by
the sinus node, the heart’s natural pacemaker. Normally, Spirometry
the electric impulses cross the heart, which contracts Spirometry is a medical test that assesses lung function.
approximately 60 – 80 times per minute at rest. Each Spirometry is the preferred screening method for asthma
contraction of the ventricles represents one heartbeat. and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
In addition, Spirometry can be used periodically to
The resting ECG is a simple, quick and painless test. evaluate the treatment of lung disease. Spirometry is a
The resting ECG can detect certain heart conditions simple and non-invasive method intended to measure
such as hypertrophy of heart, ischemia, myocardial mobilizable volumes and airflows. The evaluation of the
infarction, sequelae of myocardial infarction, cardiac lung function of a patient is made by comparing it to
arrhythmias, etc. The test takes about 5 minutes and no the average lung function of a person of similar race,
preparation is necessary. During the ECG, you are lying height, weight, sex and age. Based on this comparison,
on your back and several small electrodes are placed on we determine whether the patient has a lung disorder.
your arms, legs and chest. Some aqueous gel is used
allowing for adhesion to the skin. The recording takes For this test, you breathe into a rubber mouthpiece
a few seconds and then the electrodes are removed. attached to a recording device (a spirometer). You
No discomfort is felt and you can resume your normal need to wear light clothing, which does not prevent
activities immediately after the test. you from taking a deep breath. It is preferable not to
eat a heavy meal before the exam and not to smoke or
Stress Exercise Test use bronchodilators 4 to 6 hours before the exam. You
The stress test by electrocardiogram (treadmill ECG) is a start by doing a few cycles of normal breathing. Then,
test similar to the resting ECG, during which the patient you inhale deeply and slowly and exhale quickly and
walks on a treadmill whose speed and tilt increase forcefully, expelling as much air as possible from your
gradually during the test. The pulse, the heart rhythm lungs. Three cycles of forced expirations of this type
and the blood pressure are continually recorded. For a must be obtained for conclusive results.
successful test, the patient must reach, in successive
steps, a predetermined heart rate depending on his Echocardiogram
age. The stress test lasts approximately 30 minutes An Echocardiogram, or "echo," is an imaging test that
and requires preparation so that the results are valid. creates pictures of your heart as it beats. During an
You should avoid caffeine (coffee, tea, chocolate, etc.) echo, a transducer is used to send sound waves into the
and avoid smoking 4 hours before the test. You should heart. The sound waves create images that show the
wear comfortable clothes and running shoes during the size of the heart chambers, how well the heart pumps,
examination. The stress ECG can reveal arrhythmias and how well the heart valves work.
or disorders of the coronary circulation that can not
be identified on a resting ECG. It is important to let the Why might my doctor do an echo?
doctor know if you experience any pain or other disorder Your doctor might do an echo to:
that may require interruption of the test.
• Look for a problem in the heart or in the blood
Holter ECG vessels around the heart
The Holter test is a continuous, non-invasive recording
of the electrocardiogram for 24 hours or more. It is • Check on a known heart problem or condition
usually used to diagnose arrhythmias that can not be
distinguished during a resting or stress ECG. During one • Try to find the cause of symptoms, such as shortness
whole day you will wear a Holter monitor (a small device of breath, leg swelling, or irregular heartbeat
that continuously records the ECG) which is connected
to small electrodes placed on your chest and allows • Check your heart after a heart attack or heart surgery
recording of the pulse and the heart rhythm during 24 • Check how well your heart medicines are working
hours. The monitor installation takes a few minutes and
you wear it in your pocket or in a small bag around your Your doctor might order a stress echo to:
neck or on your belt. During the day, you should write
down on a log all your activities, any pain, discomfort or • Check for heart problems that get worse or are visible
only when the heart pumps fast
• See if you can safely exercise after a heart attack
Editorial supplied by Dr MA Khan
40 | DR MA KHAN
