John S asked:
I had an EKG test done due to chest pains. I just wanted to know if EKG tests check for diabetics, high blood pressure and other heart diseases?
I had an EKG test done due to chest pains. I just wanted to know if EKG tests check for diabetics, high blood pressure and other heart diseases?
No, the EKG was to look at the way electricity was being conducted through your heart so the doctor could see if you had a heart attack or if you were having damage to heart.
They probably also took blood tests, and part of the that blood test (the glucose part) would test for diabetes signs, and they also probably took your blood pressure (the cuff that went on your arm), and that tests for hypertension.
Absolutely not. Here’s a really good site that might help you with your question:
Hi John,
Shana B answered the question perfectly. An EKG (ElectroCardio Gram; the K comes from the fact that it was first described by a German physiologist) simply sees the electrical conductance in the heart (electrophysiology). This tells physicians certain aspects of the heart. One can determine if there was a heart attack (Myocardial Infarction) in the past, if you are currently having an MI, conduction abnormalities such as blocks (Left Bundle Branch Blocks, Right BBB etc etc), arrhythmias (abnormal heart rhythm) such as Wolf-Parkinson-White, Ventricular Tachicardia etc etc.
So to test diabetes, one must do specific test of your blood glucose levels (glycemic serum test), tolerance to glucose etc. Blood pressure is measured with what is usually called a blood pressure cuff (properly called sphygmomanometer). Other heart diseases are seen through enzyme test (confirm a heart attack), ultrasound (echography) in which they see your heart in real time using sound waves. I hope this helps.
By the way Shana B, congratulations on becoming a cardio telemetry RN.
Daniel
R1 Resident
In addition to showing electrical conduction an EKG can show cardiac ischemia and age indeterminate myocardial infarctions. It won’t show anything about Diabetes or other conditions.