Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with GoogleGet your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
Are ECGs Always Accurate?
My grandmother underwent medical tests with a travel insurance company in India. She is aged 75. She never had any problems before including cardiac. However, the insurance company told her she would not be covered for heart problems as her ECG shows some variations. But the insurance company is not sharing the results. Nobody is available to help my grandma to take another ECG. Can ECGs be always right.
Wed, 31 Dec 2014
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.
ECG or electrocardiography is a basic investigation and depends on the electrical conductivity of the heart. The accuracy of the ECG depends on the condition being tested. A heart problem may not always show up on the ECG. Some heart conditions never produce any specific ECG changes. If your grandma never had any cardiac problems and you feel that there is something wrong on ECG then there is a better test like echocardiography which will be more accurate than ECG. Please consult a cardiologist and get an echocardiography done and a second opinion after getting her examined clinically and if there is any risk of heart diseases.
Thanks for writing in.
ECG or electrocardiography is a basic investigation and depends on the electrical conductivity of the heart. The accuracy of the ECG depends on the condition being tested. A heart problem may not always show up on the ECG. Some heart conditions never produce any specific ECG changes. If your grandma never had any cardiac problems and you feel that there is something wrong on ECG then there is a better test like echocardiography which will be more accurate than ECG. Please consult a cardiologist and get an echocardiography done and a second opinion after getting her examined clinically and if there is any risk of heart diseases.
I find this answer helpful
1 Doctor agrees with this answer
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
Related questions you may be interested in
Recent questions on Cardiac electrophysiology
Loading Online Doctors....