An ECG analysis is the information and data gathered from an electrocardiogram (ECG), which is a test to measure how well the heart is beating.
Essentially, it is what the doctor learns from "reading" an ECG.
ECGs work by reading the wave patterns created by heart rhythms.
You may have seen these patterns before in medical shows on TV or movies with a medical theme or subject.
ECG machines interpret some heart rhythm patterns as waves and some as spikes.
Normal heart rhythm patterns will consist of evenly spaced waves and spikes, with no extra or missing patterns shown.
Abnormal heart rhythms can have a number of variations.
In the case of the spikes, there may be extra ones or a longer period of time between them.
The wave patterns can be different in the height of the "crest" or, again, the space between the "cresting" of two or more waves.
It is these spike and wave patterns that can help a doctor determine if there are any abnormalities in the heart rhythm.
From there, the doctor can perform further tests to decide what is causing the abnormalities and how they can be treated.
A doctor may make a brief ECG analysis at the time of initial treatment, and then a more thorough one later.
This may be necessary because of the immediate seriousness of a patient's condition.
Abnormal heart rhythm is often one of the first symptoms of a heart attack, and time is of the essence when treating this condition.
If a doctor can conclude from the brief study of the ECG that this may be the case, he can start treatment and adjust it if needed after a more thorough study has been done.