When you are given an EKG, what are the odds that there is actually something wrong, even if the EKG shows normal?
2007-12-11 01:20:02 · 3 answers · asked by Joe T 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
It depends on the symptoms you're having.
An EKG is like a snapshot of the electrical activity of your heart. It records only 6 seconds, usually. There are many other diagnostic tests that can pick up heart problems, including exercise or adenosine stress tests, echocardiograms, and cardiac catheterization.
If you're 19 years old and have a normal EKG, the odds are very high that your heart is normal. If you're 65 and have chest pain, the odds are much, much less.
2007-12-11 06:58:06 · answer #1 · answered by Pangolin 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
An EKG show a lot more than just scarring, and it is a diagnostic test. I would like to see you pick up a heart block or atrial fibrillation without one. It just isn't the only test you do. That said, it is possible to have problems with your heart that aren't picked up by an EKG, but if you have no history or signs and symptoms then other tests won't be done.
2007-12-11 13:26:08 · answer #2 · answered by Troy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An EKG shows the changes in conductivity of the heart due to scarring. it is not a diagnostic test for heart problems, though serial tracings will eventually tell more or less what has happened.
2007-12-11 11:33:06 · answer #3 · answered by hasse_john 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋