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Effect of needle-EMG on blood-pressure and heart-rate

Josef Finsterer1

  • 1Department of Neurology, Krankenanstalt Rudolfstiftung, 1180 Vienna, Austria. duarte@aonmail.at

Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology : Official Journal of the International Society of Electrophysiological Kinesiology
|February 14, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Needle electromyography (EMG) causes moderate pain but does not significantly affect blood pressure or heart rate. The cardiovascular risk associated with needle EMG is considered negligibly low, even in hypertensive patients.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Cardiology
  • Pain Management

Background:

  • Needle electromyography (EMG) is commonly associated with immediate pain.
  • The cardiovascular implications of this pain, specifically changes in blood pressure and heart rate, remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the influence of needle EMG on blood pressure and heart rate.
  • To determine the degree to which these cardiovascular parameters are affected by the procedure.

Main Methods:

  • Fifty patients (24 women, 26 men, aged 26-78) underwent conventional needle EMG of 54 muscles.
  • Pain was assessed using a verbal analogue pain scale (1-10).
  • Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before, during, and after the EMG procedure.

Main Results:

  • Mean pain ratings were 0.8 (pre), 4.1 (during), and 1.0 (post) EMG.
  • Mean blood pressure (144/87 mmHg) and heart rate (77 bpm) showed minimal changes during the procedure.
  • No significant correlation was found between pain ratings and cardiovascular measurements; effects were negligible in patients with and without hypertension.

Conclusions:

  • Needle EMG causes moderate pain but does not lead to significant increases in blood pressure or heart rate.
  • The cardiovascular risk associated with needle EMG, due to hemodynamic changes, is considered negligibly low.
  • These findings are consistent across different patient demographics, including those with arterial hypertension.

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