ÁREA DE CONTENIDO
Tests
Electrocardiography
This records on paper the changes that occur in the small electrical currents that are produced by the heart with each beat.
Essential for:
- Analysis of arrhythmias
- Episodes of myocardial ischaemia (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction)
►How is it performed:
The cables of the electrocardiograph are connected to the skin by means of adhesive electrodes on the patient's ankles, wrists and chest.
The same electrical impulse is recorded from different positions.
The patient must not move his/her arms and legs.
The patient must be lying down while the recording is taken.
Holter EKG
It allows us to monitor your heart rate throughout a full day. It is a small electronic device that records and saves the patient's electrocardiogram for 24 hours.
►How is it performed:
Several electrodes are placed on the chest and connected to a recording device the size of a mobile phone.
Once the recording has been taken, the device is connected to a computer, where the data are downloaded and processed, and useful information is obtained about the patient's heart rate and any alterations in its rhythm.
The activities carried out during the 24 hours must be absolutely normal (except for showering).
The patient must make a note of any incidents that occur, e.g. palpitations, dizziness or chest pain, in a diary.
Exercise ergometry
This consists of doing physical exercise on a treadmill to assess the heart's response during exercise, for which the electrocardiogram is monitored in real time.
It is mainly used to diagnose angina pectoris (reproducing it under controlled conditions). Throughout the procedure your blood pressure will also be controlled.
Colour Doppler echocardiogram
Diagnostic test providing images of the heart's movement and information about shape, size, movements, thickness of the walls and valve function. This test can also be used to diagnose any structural anomalies of the heart.
►How is it performed:
The patient is lying down while the test is performed, conductive gel is applied to the chest and the transducer transmits the images to the screen.