Can an ECG detect a heart attack?

An ECG can show evidence of a previous heart attack or one that's currently happening. The patterns on the ECG may help determine which part of the heart has been damaged, as well as the extent of the damage.

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Can you still have heart problems if your ECG is normal?

You may have a perfectly normal ECG, yet still have a heart condition. If your test is normal but your doctor suspects that you have a heart problem, he may recommend that you have another ECG, or a different type of test to find out for sure.

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How accurate is EKG for heart attack?

The EKG correctly identified that no previous heart attack had occurred 83.5 percent of the time when compared with MRI. Positive predictive accuracy. People with EKG results that suggested they had a heart attack had a 72 percent chance of actually having had a heart attack.

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What heart problems can an ECG detect?

An ECG can help detect:
  • arrhythmias – where the heart beats too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly.
  • coronary heart disease – where the heart's blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances.
  • heart attacks – where the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked.

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What causes chest pain if ECG is normal?

It could be a lung disorder, such as a blood clot to the lungs, known as a pulmonary embolism. Additionally, other causes of chest discomfort include spasm of the esophagus, diseases of the aorta, gastroesophageal reflux disease, musculoskeletal pain, fast heart rhythm abnormalities and costochondritis.

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Can ECG Detect Heart Attack? | Dr. Rahul Patil | Best Cardiologist Pune

17 related questions found

What is the best test to check for heart problems?

An echocardiogram is a common test. It gives a picture of your heart using ultrasound, a type of X-ray. It uses a probe either on your chest or down your oesophagus (throat). It helps your doctor check if there are any problems with your heart's valves and chambers, and see how strongly your heart pumps blood.

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How can I rule out a heart attack at home?

Signs of a heart attack include:

- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. - Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort. - Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. (If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.)

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How long does an ECG take to show a heart attack?

An ECG is painless and takes about 5 minutes to do. During the test, flat metal discs (electrodes) are attached to your arms, legs and chest.

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What does ECG look like during heart attack?

A heart attack can cause changes in the EKG pattern that trained medical professionals can interpret and use for a diagnosis. On an EKG, an STEMI heart attack will have an elevated ST segment with a T wave that is more peaked than normal. This signifies a total blockage of a main artery.

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What are silent heart attacks?

A silent heart attack is a heart attack that has few, if any, symptoms or has symptoms not recognized as a heart attack. A silent heart attack might not cause chest pain or shortness of breath, which are typically associated with a heart attack.

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Does angina show up on an ECG?

You may have tests to check if you have angina and assess your risk of more serious problems like heart attacks or stroke. You may have: an electrocardiogram (ECG) – a test to check your heart's rhythm and electrical activity.

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How accurate is ECG?

A review of 78 articles found that physician accuracy of ECG interpretation is just over half at 54% and improves slightly to 67% with some additional training. Accuracy did improve with more advanced training, with medical students having lower accuracy at 55.8% and cardiologists having the greatest accuracy at 74.9%.

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How do you feel after a mild heart attack?

The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint. You may also break out into a cold sweat. Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.

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What can be mistaken for a heart attack?

Heartburn, angina and heart attack may feel very much alike. Even experienced doctors can't always tell the difference from your medical history and a physical exam. That's why, if you go to the emergency room because of chest pain, you'll immediately have tests to rule out a heart attack.

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What is usually the first symptom of a heart attack?

Common heart attack symptoms include: Chest pain that may feel like pressure, tightness, pain, squeezing or aching. Pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck, jaw, teeth or sometimes the upper belly. Cold sweat.

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What are the first signs of a heart attack in a woman?

Heart attack symptoms for women
  • Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or upper belly (abdomen) discomfort.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Pain in one or both arms.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Sweating.
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness.
  • Unusual fatigue.
  • Heartburn (indigestion)

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What are four of the early signals of a heart attack?

8 Warning Signs Your Body Gives You Before a Heart Attack
  • UNCOMFORTABLE PRESSURE. ...
  • PAIN IN OTHER AREAS OF THE BODY. ...
  • DIZZINESS. ...
  • FATIGUE. ...
  • NAUSEA OR INDIGESTION. ...
  • SWEATING. ...
  • HEART PALPITATIONS. ...
  • SHORTNESS OF BREATH.

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Can a heart attack correct itself?

Heart muscle damaged by a heart attack heals by forming scar tissue. It usually takes several weeks for your heart muscle to heal.

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What does a small heart blockage feel like?

Small vessel disease signs and symptoms include: Chest pain, squeezing or discomfort (angina), which may get worse with activity or emotional stress. Discomfort in the left arm, jaw, neck, back or abdomen along with chest pain. Shortness of breath.

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What are the symptoms of minor heart blockage?

Minor symptoms of heart blockage include irregular or skipped heartbeats, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Other symptoms may include pain or numbness in the legs or arms, as well as neck or throat pain.

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Can a blood test detect heart problems?

The most common types of blood tests used to assess heart conditions are: Cardiac enzyme tests (including troponin tests) – these help diagnose or exclude a heart attack. Full blood count (FBC) – this measures different types of blood levels and can show, for example, if there is an infection or if you have anaemia.

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What is a pre heart attack?

Pre-Heart Attack Symptoms – Female

Men may feel pain and numbness in the left arm or the side of the chest. In women, these symptoms may appear on the right side. Women may experience unexplained exhaustion, or feel drained, dizzy or nauseous. Women may feel upper back pain that travels up into their jaw.

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How long does your body warn you before a heart attack?

A heart attack may strike suddenly, but most people have warning signs and symptoms hours, days or weeks beforehand. One of the earliest warning signs of an impending heart attack is chest pain, or angina, that occurs repeatedly because of exertion and is then eased by rest.

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Can you have a heart attack and then feel OK?

People who have a silent heart attack have symptoms not normally associated with a heart attack, mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. They may not realize they've had a heart attack. With a silent heart attack, symptoms can make you feel like: You have the flu.

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When should you not do an ECG?

When an ECG is Not Needed?
  • During a general check up if you are not likely to be at risk of heart disease, for example if you are a fit, healthy person under 40 with no family history of heart disease.
  • To look for blockages in your cardiac arteries, as these can't be detected by an ECG.

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