ECG & SPIROMETRY

These are special x-rays of the lower face, teeth and jaws. An OPG provides a panoramic view of the mouth, teeth and bones of the upper and lower jaws. The Lat Ceph results in a lateral or sideways view of the face.

WHAT IS AN ECHOCARDIOGRAM?

Electrocardiogram (ECG ) is a medical test that measures and records the electrical activity of the heart.

WHY IS AN ECG DONE?

An electrocardiogram (ECG ) is done to:
1.) Assess the heart’s electrical activity for any abnormalities.
2.) Find the cause of unexplained chest pain, such as from a heart attack, inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart (pericarditis), or angina.
3.) Assess the cause of symptoms of heart disease, such as shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, or rapid, irregular heartbeats (palpitations).
4.) Find out if the walls of the heart chambers are too thick (hypertrophied).
5.) Assess the health of the heart when other diseases or conditions are present, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cigarette smoking, diabetes, or a family history of early heart disease.

HOW IS AN ECG DONE?

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is usually done by a health professional and the results are interpreted by a doctor, such as an internist, family medicine doctor, electrophysiologist, cardiologist, anesthesiologist, or surgeon. During an ECG, you need to lie on your back on a bed or table. Small metal discs called electrodes will be taped to the arms and legs to record the heart rate during the test. A special ECG gel or small pads soaked in alcohol may be placed between the electrodes and your skin to improve conduction of the electrical impulses. The electrodes may be moved at different times during the test to measure the heart’s electrical activity from different locations on the chest..

SPIROMETRY

Spirometry is the best lung function test for diagnosing asthma and for measuring lung function when assessing asthma control. The measurement of peak expiratory flow with conventional peak flow meters has significant limitations. Most adults and children over 6 years of age can perform spirometry.