38 Irrawaddy Road #08-51, Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, Singapore 329563
A 12-lead Electrocardiogram is a medical diagnostic test that uses lead or electrodes attached to the body to capture the electrical activity of the heart. The results from a 12-lead electrocardiogram can be used to diagnose the causes of unexplained chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, heart palpitations or other cardiac symptoms.
They can also be used to check if the heart chamber walls are too thick, how well your body is responding to heart medication, whether implanted devices like pacemakers are working, along with determining the overall health of your heart.
If you have cardiac symptoms like fainting, dizziness, or palpitations, and a standard 12-lead electrocardiogram has not picked up the cause, then a holter monitoring may be recommended as a diagnostic test.
While a standard 12 lead ECG records your heart rhythm for a few seconds, a holter monitor is a small wearable device that functions as a portable ECG and records the electrical activity of your heart continuously to detect any arrhythmias. Certain abnormal heart rhythms occur only occasionally and may not be picked up in clinical settings so a holter monitoring can be quite useful in those circumstances.
Ambulatory blood pressure monitoring uses a device to measure blood pressure at regular intervals, usually over 24 hours, to diagnose and manage hypertension. The purpose is commonly to determine the type of hypertension a patient presents with or how well they are responding to blood pressure medication.
The carotid intima-media thickness test (CIMT) is a measure used to diagnose the extent of carotid atherosclerotic vascular disease. The test measures the thickness of the inner two layers of the carotid artery—the intima and media—and alerts physicians to any thickening when patients are still asymptomatic.
Early detection may indicate the need for a more aggressive approach to managing the risk factors associated with heart disease and stroke.
Contributing factors to increased carotid intima-media thickness include ageing, high lipid levels, high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
ECGs can be used to detect arrhythmias (where the heart beats too quickly, too slowly, or irregularly), coronary heart disease (a condition where the blood supply to the heart is blocked by plaque), heart attacks (where the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked), or cardiomyopathy (when the heart walls become thickened or enlarged). ECGs record the heart’s electrical activity only and frequently, information from other tests may be needed to confirm a diagnosis.
Holter monitors should be worn for the entire monitoring duration as instructed by your cardiologist. This can range from 1 day to up to 2 weeks. It should be worn while sleeping as well.
For certain holter monitors, you can be allowed to shower but you cannot swim or participate in vigorous exercises as the sweat will dislodge the electrodes. You may carry on with your daily activities but should record any symptoms for later reconciliation with your holter results.
Before the procedure you should avoid wearing any creams, or deodorant on your chest area to ensure the electrodes are able to stick to your skin.
We provide a range of Specialist Cardiovascular services
In order to maximize the interaction between you and your cardiologist at your next visit, it is best to come prepared. There are materials you should bring with you and ways you should prepare for your appointment.
Always bring a list of your current medications. A list detailing your current medications (including name, dose, and frequency of use) is an invaluable resource for your cardiologist.
Carry a list of your health care providers including name, address, telephone number, and condition being followed. This will help ensure that communication between your cardiologist and all of your other care providers is complete.
Compile a list of your past health history. Important to include are any surgical procedures (with at least approximate dates), a list of any major prior or ongoing illnesses/health issues, and a list of any major tests, especially if performed within the last year. Knowing past health events can help the physician make a diagnosis or prescribe the best course of treatment.
Compile a family health history of close blood relatives. From a cardiology perspective, what you are especially interested in finding out is whether any of your relatives have been diagnosed with heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or aneurysm. A family history of health events can provide clues as to what illnesses/conditions you may be at risk for developing.
If you have them, bring in copies of any recent lab results and any other test results from the past year, especially if the testing took place with a different health care provider. This will help avoid duplicating tests unnecessarily. Quality care begins with good communication and a good cardiologist will take time to listen to the patient and to suggest the best possible treatment option.
A second opinion from an experienced cardiologist involves a thorough review of your medical history and test results, as well as a reassessment of your overall diagnosis.
A 12-lead Electrocardiogram is a medical diagnostic test that uses lead or electrodes attached to the body to capture the electrical activity of the heart.
An Echocardiogram is an ultrasound scan of the heart which provides a clear image of your heart structure, heart strength and wall movements, and the surrounding blood vessels. It is a powerful tool to help diagnose and assess certain heart conditions.
A cardiac stress test can reveal how your heart performs when it is under stress. Some issues only surface when your heart rate increases, and therefore cardiac stress testing can reveal hidden heart problems.