When do I need a long-term ECG?
Long-term ECG refers to the recording of the electrical currents of the heart over a period of 24 hours. It is generally used to detect possible cardiac arrhythmias. In cases of persistent (prolonged) atrial fibrillation, a long-term ECG is not normally indicated, as such a cardiac arrhythmia must be monitored in hospital.
In contrast, paroxysmal or intermittent atrial fibrillation is an indication for a long-term ECG. In this form of atrial fibrillation, short uncoordinated episodes occur in the atrial conduction system. However, these disappear again after a short time. By means of a long-term ECG, both the length and the frequency of these episodes and thus the severity of the disease can be estimated.
Do I benefit from a Tele-EKG/mobile app?
Tele-ECG refers to the use of a mobile ECG recorder. It is particularly suitable for the early detection of cardiac arrhythmias. Above all, people suffering from atrial fibrillation benefit from it.
Atrial fibrillation is not always expressed by serious cardiological symptoms and is therefore often not diagnosed immediately. Especially at the beginning of the disease, atrial fibrillation usually occurs only in attacks (intermittently) and disappears again after a short time. For this reason, it often cannot be detected in normal diagnostics, where a simple ECG is used.
This is mainly due to the fact that atrial fibrillation rarely occurs exactly in the five minutes in which the ECG is written. Even with a long-term ECG, atrial fibrillation cannot always be diagnosed. Especially if it still occurs very rarely, it does not necessarily have to occur in the 24 hours of the long-term measurement.
Nevertheless, even such a rarely occurring atrial fibrillation can already have clearly harmful consequences for health. Anyone who has already received a diagnosis of atrial fibrillation can benefit from mobile apps. Modern event recorders or pacemakers can communicate with the smartphone via app and thus trigger an immediate alarm in case of problems. Direct notification of the doctor in charge is also possible.
