Curing Diabetes

Diabetes is a major risk factor for CAD, which is the most common cause of death in patients with diabetes. An ECG evaluates the electrical activity of your patient’s heart and can detect evidence of myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and arrhythmias caused by ischemia .An ECG should be performed regularly to monitor the effects of your patient’s diabetes on her heart. An annual ECG is sufficient, unless your patient shows symptoms of heart disease or a previous ECG was abnormal.

Nursing Considerations

Reassure your patient that an ECG doesn’t hurt or cause an electric

shock. Some preparation may be needed before applying the electrodes to her skin. For example, if she has been sweating, the sites should be dried. If a patient has a lot of hair at the electrode sites, you may need to shave them to provide better contact.

Filed under: Diabetes Tests