Hypoglycemia detection through ECG

[Student Researcher]

Im a med student and am researching the effect of hypoglycemia on ECG. Its an undergraduate research aimed at creating a hypoglycemia detection device. I wanted a little help as im sure other people might be performing this study and i need all the info i can get for my summer research project. Thanx a lot! Please post all the info or links leading to it!

[JDRF-Team-sgg]

I must assume that you have already done a web-based search on the words "hypoglycemia and ECG". I did so and found lots of articles on studies involving the hypoglycemic condition and cardiology tests.

I do know from first-hand experience during years before the advent of some of the new insulins that match our digestion rates well that hypoglycemia can cause some chest sensations of pressure. I asked my endo about this when victim to lots of hypos during those years (thankfully history now) and discovered that some diabetics find that the large vessels connecting to the heart can actually start to spasm during a severe hypoglycemic reaction. Obviously, a severe hypoglycemic reaction that is not corrected can lead to cardiac arrest, so other heart-related symptoms can be present in cases of severe hypoglycemia. If the brain is not functioning properly enough to tell the muscles what to do, then the heart muscle can be temporarily affected until the gucose levels rise back to normal. Do a Google search and read some of the articles listed, and I think you will find some helpful info. Too many links come up for me to copy and past them all here -- better for you to do the search yourself on "hypoglycemia and ECG" so you can bookmark sites you find particularly helpful.

[Student Researcher]

Hey thanx a lot! The search really did help me! And your first-hand experience is definitely invaluable to my project. I did a few more searches on hypoglycemia and it led to cardiac ischemia and chest pains as you mentioned!

[JDRF Team SGG]

Glad to be of help. I am also glad to be able to report that these sensations were not actually dangerous in my case, and that no damage was done to my heart during those hypoglycemic episodes. But muscles DO spasm in severe lows sometimes, and it only makes sense that the heart can be temporarily affected too. After discussing this with my endo at the time I noticed it happening, I deliberately went to one of my appointments with him slightly low so that the sensations would be present. An EKG was done and all turned out normal, but I most assuredly could FEEL that something was happening in the chest area. I hope your study goes well.