Normal ECG is no guarantee of healthy heart: Cardiovascular surgeon

A normal electrocardiogram ECG should not be interpreted as proof that the heart is free of disease cardiovascular surgeon Dr Rahul Chandola said stressing that while the test is an important diagnostic tool it cannot by itself determine the overall health of the heart or identify blocked coronary arteriesDr Chandola founder and managing director of the Institute of Heart Lungs Diseases Research Centre IHLD said many people mistakenly assume that a normal ECG rules out heart disease leading them to ignore symptoms that require medical attentionDrawing on his clinical experience he said he had treated several patients who appeared healthy and physically active until shortly before suffering a heart attackI have seen patients who ran several kilometres on the morning before experiencing a heart attack They were fit active and had normal test reports Yet within minutes their condition changed dramatically he saidAccording to Dr Chandola the challenge is not merely that people neglect heart health but that many are unaware of the warning signs that warrant medical attention or the limitations of routine investigationsHe explained that an ECG records the electrical activity of the heart and helps assess how the heart is functioning but does not reveal the presence or severity of blockages in the coronary arteriesA normal ECG is neither a guarantee against future cardiac events nor confirmation that the heart is entirely healthy he saidDr Chandola said many patients who seek treatment late often recall experiencing subtle symptoms that were dismissed as insignificantThese symptoms may include mild breathlessness while climbing stairs often attributed to poor fitness shoulder discomfort after a heavy meal commonly mistaken for acidity or indigestion brief episodes of rapid heartbeat while at rest assumed to be stressrelated and persistent fatigue that does not improve with rest and is often considered a consequence of ageingRecognising such symptoms early and seeking medical advice could help prevent more serious complications he saidDr Chandola added that heart disease does not always present with the classic symptom of severe chest painA heart under stress often gives subtle warning signs rather than dramatic symptoms Unfortunately these are frequently ignored or misinterpreted he saidHe advised that patients should not wait for severe symptoms before consulting a doctor and that even mild but persistent symptoms should prompt a comprehensive cardiac evaluation rather than reliance on an ECG aloneIf your body is repeatedly signalling that something is wrong it is important not to ignore it Seek medical evaluation without delay he saidAccording to Dr Chandola an ECG and lipid profile are only the initial investigations for patients presenting with suspected heart diseaseDepending on an individuals clinical profile doctors may also consider factors such as the coronary calcium score the condition of the coronary arteries sleep quality and family history spanning at least two generations to assess cardiovascular risk and guide treatment more accuratelyHe said a comprehensive evaluation combined with timely recognition of warning signs could help identify heart disease earlier and potentially reduce the need for major interventions such as surgeryThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever