Picture Your Heart's Health With EKGs
Each time your heart beats, the contractions and relaxations of the heart muscle emit electrical current. An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a medical recording of the electric impulses from the heart. Electrodes that send impulses to the EKG machine are attached to the patient's skin at various points on the body. Those recorded currents are displayed on a computer monitor and can be printed out on special graph paper. Your heart's electrical currents are recorded on the graph paper as an EKG. Qualified medical staff interpret the graphed results to determine any irregularities.
Most EKGs are performed in a critical care facility, telemetry or any place that a particular patient needs to be monitored. EKGs can help your doctor determine the status of your heart health. By graphing the electrical impulses of the heart, doctors and other trained medical staff are able to see the presence of any abnormalities. The EKG recording often reveals the scars of past heart attacks and other heart damage. Although the test cannot predict future heart attacks or other heart problems, a combination of family history and additional examinations may give your doctor a good idea of what to expect.
Individuals experiencing chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness or heart palpitations will likely be referred for an EKG by their doctor. An EKG is a rapid and safe way to determine if a heart attack is occurring. Those reporting these types of symptoms will likely be referred to the nearest Emergency Room for further evaluation. If your doctor does not think your symptoms indicate a life-threatening situation, you may be asked to make an appointment with an EKG specialist for further observation.
An EKG is a very simple and painless procedure. The patients are instructed to lie face up on an examination table while electrodes are strategically placed at various points on their body. The electrodes are attached to cables and the cables are attached to the EKG machine. The electrodes send electronic impulses to the machine and results in a printed graph, which is a picture of your heart function. The procedure usually takes 15 to 20 minutes but may require a longer visit if the technician needs additional testing data. A stress test is a normal EKG procedure that requires the patient perform moderate exercise while recording heart rhythms.
EKG Info provides comprehensive information on EKG readings, interpretation, m machines, technicians, abnormal EKGs and more. EKG Info is the sister site of Stethoscopes Web.
The Meaning of Abnormal EKG Results
Many physicians recommend EKGs as a preventative-screening tool for those with a family history of heart disease. While a healthy person does not need an EKG as a part of an annual exam, many physicians will recommend an EKG if they have concerns. If a patient complains of chest pain, palpitations or other indicators of heart problems, the physician will likely recommend an immediate EKG test. Depending on the severity of the situation, your doctor may refer you to a local testing center immediately or ask you to schedule the next available appointment.
An abnormal EKG is determined by comparing the results of your EKG graph with a standard or normal heart graph. Spikes and dips within the graph are referred to as P, QR and PR and other similar acronyms. Normal EKG readings show a slight flat-dip in between contractions and relaxations. If these flat-dips are not present, it may be an indication of a more serious problem. Normal EKG readings will have spikes and dips too.
Myocardial defects, heart valve disease, enlargement of the heart, inflammation of the heart, coronary artery disease, and past, pending or impending heart attacks are only a few of the problems that EKG's can help to detect. The conditions in which the EKG is performed can also have an impact on the accuracy of the results. Some heart problems are not present all of the time and therefore may not appear in EKG results. In cases where heart problems are suspected but not detected on the EKG, a Holter monitor may be recommended. This monitor is worn, usually for a period of 24 to 48 hours and serves as a type of mini-EKG test. The patient wears the monitor at home and it continuously records heart activity. Doctors also recommend that the patient be relaxed during the exam because any muscle trembling or contractions can alter the results and produce an inaccurate reading.
Many people are surprised to learn that they have had an abnormal EKG reading. What is even more surprising is that when presented with abnormal EKG results, some doctors do not seem concerned. It doe not necessarily mean they are inadequate or uncaring physicians, it is more likely they believe something else has caused the abnormal reading. Most will want to pursue further testing or another EKG. Sometimes an event as simple as low blood sugar can have an altering affect and produce false EKG readings. Other times, abnormal EKGs require further testing to determine what, if any, problems actually exist.
EKG Info provides comprehensive information on EKG readings, interpretation, m machines, technicians, abnormal EKGs and more. EKG Info is the sister site of Stethoscopes Web.
The Role of Rhythm Strips for Interpreting EKGs
Each time the heart beats it emits electrical currents. An electrocardiogram (EKG) is a method in which electrodes are attached at various points on the body. These electrodes are attached to wires that are attached to the EKG machine. The electrodes send waves and impulses to the machine that amplifies the results on a monitor and prints them onto graph paper. Heart rates and palpitations are commonly diagnosed from the EKG results.
Heart rhythm can help to detect medical problems. Arrhythmia, heart valve disease, coronary artery disease and impending heart attacks can be determined by interpreting EKG rhythms. If an abnormality is detected, the technician or physician may request a follow-up EKG or other additional testing. Since some abnormalities may be caused by external or non-problematic internal factors, the EKG rhythm is not always the end-all to cardiovascular testing.
The technician will begin the EKG by placing 10 to 12 electrodes at various points on your body. The electrodes are placed from your lower breastbone to areas near the armpits. Other pads will be placed on each of your arms and legs. The electrodes are attached to wires, called leads, which are attached to the EKG machine.
The use of EKG rhythm strips is an additional way for interpreting results. Although the rhythm strip is only one point-of-view, it is often a more precise way to detect problems. Rhythm strips are particularly useful in patients who have reported very slow or very rapid heartbeats. Most EKGs take only 10 minutes or so to complete, however, when an EKG rhythm strip is used, the visit may be prolonged. EKG rhythm strips are generally used when the normal EKG does not produce desired results. The EKG strip can be used to measure your heart's patterns for a full minute or even longer.
For new students learning about the EKG process and EKG rhythms, the information can be overwhelming. Most schools do not spend an enormous amount of time covering the topics of rhythms but hospitals do require specialized classes in this area. An EKG technician will begin by understanding some basic rhythms and what is considered normal. As he or she gains experience and takes specialized courses, he or she will gain expertise in interpreting EKG rhythms and reading rhythm strips. An inexperienced technician will be unlikely to disclose the results of your EKG. Your cardiovascular specialist will look at and interpret your results and inform you as to whether or not your condition needs further evaluation.
EKG Info provides comprehensive information on EKG readings, interpretation, m machines, technicians, abnormal EKGs and more. EKG Info is the sister site of Stethoscopes Web.