ECG, or electrocardiogram, is an essential tool in the field of diagnostic cardiology that enables monitoring your heart’s electrical signals and rhythm. Sensors attached to the skin helps detect the electrical activity your heart produces every time it beats. It is one of the simplest and most efficient procedures that help analyse your heart health and identify abnormalities if any.
Thanks to fast-paced technological advancements and innovation in the field of diagnostics, electrocardiogram has come a long way to be more efficient and precise. This has paved the way for notable trends such as ECG test at home, remote monitoring or the use of Artificial Intelligence in electrocardiogram.
In this article, let’s understand the top five trends that will shape ECG testing in 2022 and beyond.
- ECG System is Moving to Full Digital Format
Traditional ECG systems provide the readings on paper and are often not compatible with different electronic medical record (EMR) systems or cardiology reporting systems. However, today’s modern systems are gradually shifting towards the digital format. As a result, you can expect ECGs to digitally capture and store the heart’s waveforms.
The reports are getting increasingly paperless, making it easier for hospitals and clinics to store and retrieve patient records digitally. Automation may speed up the process of reading the reports and waveforms, aiding in faster diagnosis and treatment. As ECG systems are moving towards full digitalization, you’d see a radical difference in the efficiency, precision and promptness of the process.
Even hospitals and diagnostic centres providing ECG test at home use advanced ECG devices that are portable and digitally records the heart’s electrical signals and rhythm. The 12-Lead ECG machines can capture the waveforms accurately and share the report instantly at home.
- AI Integration
Like other fields of healthcare, Artificial Intelligence may also power ECG interpretation recently. According to experts, AI can help examine the waveforms to precisely identify patients who are at a higher risk of health diseases such as arrhythmia. It can delve deeper into the waveforms and derive meaningful interpretations which even experienced readers may miss.
In the near future, you can expect to see AI-based next-generation ECG devices that can help diagnose a variety of cardiac condition and arterial fibrillation.
- COVID Considerations to Change How ECG is Performed Today
The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the healthcare industry to bring major changes in diagnosis, treatment and prevention. For instance, cardiologists now need a thorough understanding of how COVID-19 impacts the heart. Hence, ECG will continue to be an essential diagnostic tool, mostly powered by artificial intelligence.
Another trend that will gain more popularity in 2022 and beyond is ECG test at home. Despite that the world is gradually getting back to normality post COVID, there are many critical patients for whom social distancing is the most viable option. It may be difficult for them to visit hospitals and diagnostic centres to get the procedure done. For them, remote cardiac monitoring through portable ECG machines ensures a hassle-free and safe experience.
With the pandemic, there has been an increasing need for remote care. Hence, people are gaining more confidence in at-home ECG service. However, there are several factors you should look for when considering “ECG test at home near me”:
- Experience of the diagnostic centre in performing ECG at home
- Do they use advanced and medically-certified 12 Lead ECG machines?
- Expertise of the technicians in performing the test with safety and precision
- Promptness and accuracy of reporting
- ECG cost
- Growing Significance of Holter Monitor Test at Home
When standard electrocardiogram does not provide detailed information about the heart’s condition, your doctor may suggest getting a Holter monitor test. The portable ECG procedure allows recording the heart’s electrical activities constantly over 24 hours or even longer.
Holter monitoring isn’t new in the field of electrocardiogram. However, in the future, you may see more numbers of Holter monitoring tests done at home. There has already been an explosion in demand for ECG smartwatches and handheld devices in the past 5 years. And Holter monitoring at home with further ensure improved patient care and accuracy in monitoring the heart’s electrical signals.
Patients who require continuous cardiac monitoring may safely use portable Holter monitoring devices at home. These devices are medically-certified and easy to use. Further technology advancements will ensure high levels of precision at home.
When considering “Holter monitor test near me,” ensure the diagnostic centre specializes in the procedure and can guide you how to use the device safely. They should also be able to capture and analyse the recordings accurately.
- Accurate Lead Placement for Precise Readings
One of the biggest challenges of ECG testing is inappropriate placement of leads in hospitals and clinics. This may lead to inaccuracy in readings. Fortunately, medical device companies are constantly working on developing ECG machines that use advanced technology, such as 3D rendering, for appropriate lead placement. Automatic alerts are sent for misplaced leads. The objective is to enhance the accuracy and speed and ECGs.
Conclusion
Considering the upcoming trends in electrocardiogram, you can expect improved patient experience, accuracy in testing and better diagnosis when you choose “ECG test near me.”