How Accurate Are Home ECG Machines?

Electrocardiogram (ECG) machines have been traditionally reserved for hospitals and medical clinics, but more recently are being made available to the public through multiple manufacturers who market them as easy-to-use ECG at-home devices that provide immediate results. However, how accurate are ECG at home machines? Moreover, what do you need to know if you’re considering purchasing one? We have the answers you’re looking for!

What Is ECG?

The heart pumps blood to all parts of the body. The arteries then carry oxygen and nutrients to the tissues of your body. The heart is located in the chest and is about the size of a fist. The heart beats about 60-80 times per minute. With an electrocardiogram (ECG) you can record these signals as they happen on paper or an electronic device. An ECG at home either can be an event monitor, like AliveCor or connected to a computer via USB.

An echocardiogram is accurate when interpreted by a qualified doctor. While home machines are available, and may give you some idea about your heart health, they are not as accurate as an echocardiogram done in a doctor's office. A qualified doctor for the most accurate results should interpret the test. ECGs at home can be affected by many things, such as movement during the test, and may not be as accurate as a test done in a controlled setting.

What Does ECG At Home Do?

An ECG at home can give you a quick and easy way to check your heart health. It helps in monitoring the rhythm of the heart through wave-like graphs. The graph indicates whether the heart is beating at a normal pace and helps in diagnosing atrial fibrillation and any other heart conditions adversely affecting the health of the heart.

It may be helpful to track the rhythm of the heartbeat and heart rate is quite helpful in case you have an elderly member in your family whose health requires close monitoring or in case of pregnant ladies or people with existing heart disorders.

Tips For Using An ECG For Home Use?

• Sharing some valuable tips on measures to be taken while using an ECG for home.
• Get relaxed before taking the reading.
• Don’t take reading immediately after an exercise or an intense physical activity.
• Don’t take a reading just after having any cold liquid.
• Don’t take the reading on wet skin.
• Ensure there is no clothing between the ECG sensor and skin.
• Remove any jewelry near the ECG sensors.

Parameters You Should Check Before Buying ECG At Home Devices?

Your decision to buy an ECG device for home use should be based on the following parameters-

• Functionality- The compact size and its portability enhance the functionality of ECG devices used at home.
• Customer Reviews- Before taking your take, go through the customer feedback and reviews.
• Approval/Accreditation- Check for the approval or accreditations conferred by government/health agencies to get a better feel of its utility.
• Suitability For Specific Needs- You have to do your need-based feasibility before shopping for an ECG device for home use.

When To Buy An ECG For Home Device?

It is advisable to invest in buying an ECG device for home use if-

• Suffering from medical preconditions like high blood pressure or anxiety.
• Unexplained rapidly beating heart.
• Experiencing discomfort in the chest like chest pain, shortness of breath, excessive tiredness, and dizziness.
• While checking the stethoscope, the doctor detects some unusual sound.

How To Mitigate Risks Associated With Heart Problems-

There are certain factors that make a person more prone to heart-related problems. These include –

• Age- People of a higher age bracket are conducive to heart-related ailments.
• Pre-existing diseases- For a person with high blood pressure, the blood flow puts pressure on the arteries, which increases the risk of heart failure or heart attack.
• Obesity- The risk of heart attack or heart failure increases with weight. Obese people are at higher risk of heart problems.

Now, an ECG machine at home can definitely alarm you with the visit of a heart problem but let us learn the easy methods to mitigate the risks-

• Regular exercise for 30 min is the real mantra to fit body and mind.
• Eat a healthy diet. Nothing can add value as much as fresh fruits and freshly prepared food. Avoid eating refrigerated and packaged food items.

How Accurate Are ECG At Home Devices?

ECGs at home are not as accurate as those done in a hospital or doctor's office. That is because the machines are not much sophisticated and the electrodes may not be placed in exactly the right spot. ECG gives you a closer picture of the heart problems at the nascent stage before they aggravate. If these symptoms are accurately investigated by the doctor and treated with medicines, major heart problems can be averted.

As ECG device available in clinics used 12 lead electrodes to read the heart anomalies whereas ECG devices for home use involves about 2- 8 electrodes and therefore their accuracy is hindered. However, home ECGs can still give you a good idea of how your heart is doing. If you have any concerns, it's always best to see a doctor. People should see a doctor if they have heart palpitations, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of a heart condition.

The Takeaways

If you're concerned about your heart health, you may be considering purchasing a home ECG machine. These devices are designed to measure your heart's electrical activity and can be a valuable tool for monitoring your heart health. However, it's important to understand that ECG at home is not as accurate as hospital-grade machines.

If you use a home ECG monitor machine, it's important to consult with your doctor if you have any concerns about its accuracy. To help ensure that your home ECG machine is working properly, periodically test the device on someone else or purchase one from a reputable company. And remember: ECG at home should only be used as an early warning and monitoring tool and the only way to get an accurate diagnosis of your heart health is by visiting a doctor.