ECG

What kind of testing is done to determine if there is water on the heart, and can you have water on the heart and still have a normal ECG?  I've had chest pressure/pain and can literally feel fluid in my heart region.  The ECG technician had difficulty getting a reading, and had to keep readjusting and moving the leads around on my chest until it worked.  If they're put in the wrong area, can the reading still come out OK and miss a diagnosis?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,

Firstly, why do you believe that there’s fluid around the heart. Anyhow, ECG is not very sensitive test to pick up the same. A much more sensitive and specific test is an echocardiography which nothing but an ultrasound of the heart which can easily pick up even a mild fluid collection. Please get an echo done if you really feel it is necessary.

I hope that helps. Please do keep me posted.

Kind Regards.