Resting ECG: What You Need to Know

Introduction

A resting electrocardiogram (ECG) is a simple, non-invasive test that records the electrical activity of your heart while you are at rest. It provides valuable information about heart rhythm, electrical conduction, and potential abnormalities such as arrhythmias, heart attacks, or structural heart diseases.

How a Resting ECG Works

An ECG records the electrical impulses that regulate your heartbeat. The test involves placing small electrode patches on your chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes detect the heart’s electrical signals and display them as a wave pattern on paper or a screen.

Key Features Observed in a Resting ECG

1. Heart Rate – Measures how fast your heart is beating (normally between 60-100 bpm for adults).
2. Heart Rhythm – Checks if your heart beats regularly or if there are irregularities such as atrial fibrillation.
3. Electrical Conduction – Evaluates if electrical signals are traveling normally through the heart.
4. Signs of Ischemia or Infarction – Identifies past or present heart attacks or reduced blood supply.
5. Chamber Enlargement – Can suggest hypertrophy (thickening) of the heart walls due to hypertension or other conditions.

When is a Resting ECG Recommended?

• Suspicion of heart disease based on symptoms (chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness).
• Routine health check-ups, especially for those with risk factors (high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol).
• Before surgeries or in cases of suspected arrhythmias.

Limitations of Resting ECG

While a resting ECG is useful, it only captures your heart’s electrical activity at a single moment. Some heart problems, such as intermittent arrhythmias or exercise-induced issues, may not appear in a resting ECG. In such cases, doctors may recommend additional tests like Holter monitoring, stress ECG, or echocardiography.

Conclusion

A resting ECG is an essential and widely used tool for detecting heart conditions. However, it is just one part of a broader diagnostic approach. If your doctor suggests further tests, it is to ensure a more comprehensive evaluation of your heart health.

Relevant Clinical Guidelines

Source recommendations

1. American Heart Association – Electrocardiography in Risk Assessment and Monitoring

1. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000527
2. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/arrhythmia/symptoms-diagnosis--monitoring-of-arrhythmia/syncope-fainting
3. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27317349/
4. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/electrocardiogram-ecg-or-ekg
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549803/

2. European Society of Cardiology – Guidelines on the Management of Cardiovascular Diseases in Clinical Practice

1. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines
2. https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/34/3227/6358713
3. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-Prevention-Guidelines
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34458905/
5. https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/CVD-and-Diabetes-Guidelines