Can my ECG tell me if I am having a heart attack?

Yes, an ECG can show enough evidence of a heart attack

What is an ECG

ECG measures the electrical activity in your heart.

Painless

If you are experiencing chest discomfort, don't hesitate to go for an ECG. It is totally painless and the best first line investigation.

What can ECG show?

If you are having a "heart attack" your ECG will show changes like ST-elevation. It may also show many other changes that can preceed a heart attack

Troponins

Troponins are proteins that enter the blood when there is a heart attack. These can be measured by a blood test

What else can ECG show?

ECG can diagnose hundreds of different heart abnormalities, like arrhythmias, heart conduction blocks, and many others.

Can any blood test be useful in diagnosing a heart attack?

Several blood tests are used by cardiologists to determine the state of a patient's heart

Troponins

As mentioned earlier Troponins are elevated in the immediate phase of a heart attack. This can be measured by means of a blood test.

CK-MB

A special protein CK-MB is also often elevated in patients with heart attack

Electrolytes

Electrolyte abnormalities can cause a heart attack in susceptible patients, and are usually advised in these patients.

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