See availability
Back to Tests and Vaccines

ECG and blood pressure

What are electrocardiograms (ECG) and blood pressure? What is measured and what do we use it for?

An ECG is a study of the heart where you get an overview of how the heart is shaped and positioned, how it beats and how the muscles in the heart wall work. An ECG can tell if the heart beats and functions as normal, or if there is a disease in the heart that needs further investigation or treatment.

All our GP clinics are equipped with EKG equipment and can carry out the examination on the same day.

See available appointments

How is an ECG examination performed?

The examination is performed by placing 12 electrodes around the body (on the ankles, wrists and left side of the chest). These are attached to a small machine which then reads the signals the heart sends. Each of these elements is used to interpret the function of the different parts of the heart, and one can thus say whether the heart beats normally and is well or whether there is something abnormal with the function of the heart.

Book appointment
sanity imagesanity image

What is an ECG used for?

ECG can be used to investigate chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling in the legs or as a control in connection with the start / use of some types of medication that can affect the heart rhythm.

The examination can be divided into 3 types:

The resting electrocardiogram
The resting ECG is used to see how the heart is doing here and now. If you experience, for example, chest pain or palpitations that are constant, this is a good examination.

24-hour ECG (Holter monitor)
If, on the other hand, you have discomfort or palpitations that come and go a little, and you are not able to catch it with just one examination, it may be an indication for a 24-hour ECG (Holter monitor). Then you get a portable monitor that will record your heart rate over a longer period of time (usually 24 hours, sometimes longer). This examination must usually be done by a cardiologist, as it often requires specialist experience. The patient can be referred to a cardiologist, if necessary, by our GPs.

Work ECG
Some people experience discomfort from the heart and breathing during physical activity, and this may be an indication to do a work ECG. Then you will be connected to an ECG machine while sitting on an exercise bike, and your heart activity will be recorded while you ride. This is not done in general practice and the patient is therefore referred to the cardiology department if necessary.

See available appointments
sanity imagesanity image

All medical services

  • Examination and treatment
  • Prescriptions and sick notes
  • Referrals

See the doctor today

  • No lines
  • Long opening hours
  • Clinic or video call

Blood pressure - what is it and how does it work?

Blood pressure is the pressure that the blood gives against the artery wall. It is highest in the large veins closer to the heart, and lowest in the smallest veins furthest from the heart. When we talk about "blood pressure" in general, it is the pressure in the larger veins we are talking about.

It is important to have an approximately normal blood pressure, as both too low and too high blood pressure can cause symptoms and ailments. We are more concerned about high blood pressure as this can lead to more serious sequelae in cardiovascular disease. If you have hypertension / high blood pressure in your close family, you are more prone to get this yourself. In these cases, you usually know about it yourself and already have a dialogue with your GP about this.

Book GP
sanity imagesanity image

How do you measure your blood pressure and what are normal values?

Blood pressure is measured by attaching a cuff quite tightly around the upper arm, then inflating it so that it shuts off the blood flow. The machine then releases the pressure and first registers the pressure in the years when the blood flows through again (called "systolic pressure" or "overpressure"), and then the pressure in the veins when the blood flow can no longer be measured (called "diastolic pressure" or "negative pressure").

  • Normal values: The normal values are around 100-120 mmHg in overpressure and around 60-80 mmHg in underpressure, and are written 120/80 mmHg.
  • High values: High blood pressure (hypertension) is an overpressure of more than 140 mmHg and / or negative pressure of more than 90 mmHg. There are different degrees of severity of high blood pressure, and the degree determines whether it should be treated with medication or not.
  • Low values: Too low blood pressure (hypotension) is hypertension below 100 mmHg and / or negative pressure below 60 mmHg. This can make you dizzy, nauseous, tired, palpitations and have reduced strength.
sanity imagesanity image

How can Dr.Dropin help you with ECG and measuring blood pressure?

All Dr. Dropin's clinics are equipped with equipment to take a resting ECG and measure blood pressure, and doctors perform these tests where they deem it necessary. If you are healthy, take no medication and have no ailments, it is not necessary to take an ECG or measure your blood pressure. If, on the other hand, you have chest pain, palpitations, shortness of breath, dizziness, have a headache, etc., it may be an indication to check your heart function and blood pressure.

Book appointment

If you experience acute onset, severe pain in the center of the chest or back, you should contact the emergency services at 113 for quick help.

sanity imagesanity image

Who should check their heart with an ECG?

Those who have symptoms with chest discomfort, pain, palpitations, shortness of breath at rest / at low activity, should have their heart checked. If, on the other hand, you experience acute, severe pain in the chest, you must contact 113 for quick help.

How safe is an ECG, can you trust it to show a possible disease?

ECG is a safe examination. If the examination is completely normal, it is most likely something other than the heart that gives you the ailments you have. Sometimes the ailments are not present all the time, and an ECG will not be able to detect it if you do not have symptoms when the examination is taken. Then you can be referred for an examination where the heart is observed for a longer period of time.

Should I check my blood pressure from time to time to see if it's OK?

It is not necessary to check your blood pressure just to see if it is ok. If you have other diseases such as diabetes, metabolic problems, are cardiovascular or experience ailments such as dizziness, headaches, tinnitus, it is good to check your blood pressure.

Is high blood pressure a disease and can it be cured?

High blood pressure in itself is not a disease, but it can be caused by an underlying disease or lead to disease, and should therefore be taken seriously.

My grandparents had high blood pressure, will I get it too?

Sometimes hypertension is hereditary, but then you usually get it at a young age. With age, the blood vessels become a little stiffer and some thus also experience that the pressure in the blood vessels rises. Diet and lifestyle also affect blood pressure. A condition with high blood pressure due to old age and lifestyle is not hereditary.

What is an ECG and why is it performed?

An ECG is a diagnostic test that records electrical activity in the heart over a period of time by placing electrodes on the skin. It is used to assess heart function, identify arrhythmias, and detect signs of heart disease or heart attack.

How are the results of an EKG interpreted?

The results of an EKG are interpreted by a doctor or cardiologist. They look for specific patterns and waves that indicate heart function, including heart rate, heart rhythm, and the presence of any abnormalities or abnormal findings.

What are common causes of abnormal ECG results?

Abnormal EKG results can be caused by various factors, including heart conditions such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, heart valve problems, or other medical conditions that affect the heart.

What is blood pressure and why is it important to measure it?

Blood pressure is the force that blood exerts on the walls of blood vessels as it is pumped through the body by the heart. It is important to measure blood pressure to monitor heart health and identify risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension.

What are normal blood pressure values, and what does deviation from these values ​​mean?

Normal blood pressure values ​​vary depending on age, gender and other factors, but usually a blood pressure of 120/80 mmHg is considered normal. Deviations from these values ​​may indicate hypertension (high blood pressure) or hypotension (low blood pressure).

What are common causes of high blood pressure?

Common causes of high blood pressure include genetic factors, poor diet, lack of physical activity, obesity, stress, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease.

How can I maintain a healthy blood pressure?

You can maintain healthy blood pressure by eating a balanced diet rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grains, reducing salt intake, being physically active regularly, avoiding tobacco and limiting alcohol consumption.

How often should I measure my blood pressure?

It is recommended to measure your blood pressure regularly, especially if you have risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Discuss with your doctor to determine how often you should measure your blood pressure based on your individual risk profile.

Sources

Hunskår, S., (2017), Hjerte og kretsløp i Allmennmedisin, Oslo: Gyldendal Norsk Forlag, side 305-347

Norsk Elektronisk Legehåndbok, (2020), Hypertensjon, (online), tilgjengelig fra https://legehandboka.no/handboken/kliniske-kapitler/hjertekar/tilstander-og-sykdommer/ulike-sykdommer/hypertensjon/, hentet 29.06.2020

Store Medisinske Leksikon (2019, Blodtrykk, (online), tilgjengelig fra: https://sml.snl.no/blodtrykk, hentet 29.06.2020.