ECG in pregnancy and other conditions

An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a graphical representation of the potential difference that is recorded on the body surface. This method is the main one for detecting diseases of the cardiovascular system.
ECG in pregnancy is important for determining conduction and rhythm disturbances that can be caused by structural damage to the myocardium or drug intoxication. In addition, in the body of a woman, all processes are reconstructed to create optimal conditions for the development of a new life.

Essentially, the ECG during pregnancy does not change, of course, if the pregnancy is normal. Sometimes on the ECG may appear signs due to hyperkinetic type of circulation and displacement of the diaphragm and heart in the chest cavity due to physiological changes in pregnant women. They are manifested by the following changes in the ECG: shift to the left of the electric axis of the heart, the appearance of biphasic, decrease and flattening, inversion of the T wave in the III standard lead and right thoracic leads, deep Q (decreases with inhalation retention ) and a flattened, altered or negative prong P in 3 standard leads. On the ECG during pregnancy, the rhythm is correct, sinus, possibly the occurrence of extrasystoles or short periods of the supraventricular tachycardia. In the early periods, the length of the Q-T and P-Q intervals can increase (without going beyond the limits of physiological norms), and then decrease with an increase in the period. When pregnancy changes the ratio of hormones in the blood. This leads to a slight decrease in the time of passage of the electric pulse in the atria and ventricles: on ECG during pregnancy, a decrease in the duration of the QRS complex, the tooth R.

At delivery, especially during fights and attempts, the width of the P wave, as well as the PQ interval and the QRS complex decreases, a deviation to the right of the electric axis of the heart is possible. After birth, all changes in the heart can last a long time.

ECG is often used for angina pectoris. The emergence of this pathology causes an insufficient supply of oxygen to the heart muscle, resulting in ECG signs that are characteristic of myocardial ischemia. These features include the displacement of the ST segment from the isoelectric line by 1 mm and more upwards - with subepicardial or total ischemia, downward - with subendocardial. With angina, it is also possible to change the T wave. During stenocardic pain, conduction and rhythm disturbances appear: ventricular tachycardias, ventricular extrasystoles, transient ventricular or AV blockade.

Samples with physical exertion are necessary to assess the stability of the cardiovascular system, in addition, they provide an opportunity to assess the recovery of cardiac activity after physical activity in dynamics. ECG under load can be carried out in two ways: on the treadmill (treadmill) or veloergometer. Before the test, on an individual basis, the maximum level of its load is calculated for the patient, taking into account the sex, age, height, weight, concomitant pathology. The specified initial physical load gradually increases, simultaneously with this the ECG and arterial pressure are recorded. When a certain heart rate or heart rate is reached, if there are pronounced changes in the ECG of an ischemic nature, when the pain or fatigue of the patient arises, the study with physical activity should be stopped. After stopping the ECG, the arterial pressure continues to be recorded for another 10 minutes. It should be noted that carrying out these studies is associated with a heavy load on the heart, which can even lead to its arrest.