№ 2Cardiology11 min read
Imaging techniques in cardiology 2: ECG, exercise ECG, ECG Holter, ABPM
1. Big picture
This topic is about non-invasive bedside and ambulatory cardiology tests. They do not “image” the heart like echo/CT/MRI, but they answer very practical exam questions:
| Test | Main question answered |
|---|---|
| Resting 12-lead ECG | Is there acute ischemia, arrhythmia, conduction disease, chamber enlargement, electrolyte/drug effect? |
| Exercise ECG | Does exertion provoke ischemia, symptoms, arrhythmia, abnormal blood pressure response? |
| Holter ECG | What rhythm occurs during daily life, especially during palpitations/syncope? |
| ABPM | What is the patient’s real blood pressure over 24 hours, including night-time BP? |
Core exam logic: Acute symptoms → resting ECG now. Stable exertional chest pain → exercise ECG if suitable. Intermittent palpitations/syncope → Holter or longer rhythm monitoring. Suspected white-coat/masked/resistant hypertension → ABPM.
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