A question.

[JayDJ]

I went for an ECG today which is basically a yearly check re taking Dronedarone. Unfortunately, I was asked to lie down in a totally flat position which leaves me feeling nauseous. I mentioned this to my wife who quite automatically said "Why don't they take your ECG when you are upright"?

Which when you realise that an average person spends at least 16 hours per day in an upright position raises the question - Why do they take an ECG when we are lying down which surely is going to distort what is happening for most of the time?

[mjames1]

Don't know why other than convenience, but next time I'd definitely ask if they can tilt the table up for you plus a pillow.

Jim

[BobD Volunteer]

I guess because ease of afixing the 12 sticky pads for the leads. Also the leads are all the same length so need to be the same distance from the central device. 99.99% of people have no problem.

[JayDJ in reply to BobD]

Hmm, not really worried re my problem of being nauseous but I don't get the laying down bit to get a reading, especially when we spend most of our time upright which I'm sure will give a different reading for our HR.

[DawnTX in reply to BobD]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂🎉

[BobD Volunteer]

If thems the rule, thems the rules.

[Buffafly]

They don’t have to be, I’ve had them in A&E sitting at an angle.

[JayDJ in reply to Buffafly]

Thank you. It is just something that I have never thought of querying but will do so as I feel that being upright would have more of a bearing on how one's heart behaves, than laying down.

[Cat04 in reply to Buffafly]

.......and in ITU.

[Gumbie_Cat in reply to Buffafly]

Same here, they have usually propped the bed up. One time they had run out of trolleys in A&E and I sat in a chair with my feet on another chair.

[Truffles2]

I don’t believe you do need to be laid flat I’ve had lots of ECG half sitting up

[Cat04 in reply to Truffles2]

Me too, half sitting /propped up in ITU.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Sometimes the leads pull off/fall off!

I had a pillow though.

cheri JOY. 74. (NZ)

[Jajarunner]

A&E at Addenbrookes (big trauma hospital in Cambridge) always do it sitting up!

[Rosemaryb1349]

I don't think I have ever had a fully recumbent ECG, always sitting on the bed/table but propped well up.

[Tapanac]

I think it is easier for them to fix the electrodes, but once they are done normally (or in my case anyway) they have raised the back of the bed slightly. Sometimes it’s already raised anyway.

[mhoam]

I believe it is important to remain very still during an ECG so that the electrical signals to and from other muscles do not interfere with the heart muscle signals.

It's much easier for a person to remain completely still whilst lying or sitting down, not so much when standing up when the muscles are working constantly to keep us balanced.

[Truffles2 in reply to mhoam]

in fact when I I think about it when I was in hospital after my bypass they did one every day whilst I was sitting up in the chair

[Qualipop]

When I had a heart attack the paramedics did my ECG sitting up in a chair. Lying down is not essential.

[Barb1]

I always partially sit up

[KentAndrew]

I had a 12 lead ECG sitting up in the back of an Ambulance.

[Palpman]

It will only make a difference if you are on a treadmill.

[DawnTX]

I always get mine sitting up in a chair. In the hospital for preop, they use a chair that tilts back just a little bit like a beach lounge. Next time I would mention to them, how are you feel. Obviously from what I’ve seen your position does not affect the results. My last one was just a few weeks ago.