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We provide our users the most up-to-date and accurate information on the treatment and prevention of cardio pathologies in accordance with current American and European clinical guidelines.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a licensed physician for diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding ECG (Electrocardiogram)
Introduction
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a test that records the electrical activity of your heart. It helps doctors diagnose heart conditions by analyzing the rhythm, rate, and strength of your heartbeats.
Why Is an ECG Done?
An ECG is commonly used to detect: - Arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms) - Heart attacks (past or ongoing) - Enlargement of the heart due to high blood pressure or heart disease - Electrolyte imbalances that may affect the heart
How Is an ECG Performed?
- Small electrodes are attached to your skin on the chest, arms, and legs.
- These electrodes detect electrical signals from your heart.
- The machine records these signals as wave patterns on a graph.
- The test is painless and takes only a few minutes.
What Do ECG Results Show?
- Normal ECG : Indicates a healthy heart rhythm.
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Abnormal ECG
: Can reveal problems such as:
- Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
- ST-elevation (potential heart attack)
- Q waves (signs of past heart attack)
- Long or short QT interval (risk of arrhythmias)
When Should You Get an ECG?
A doctor may recommend an ECG if you have: - Chest pain - Palpitations (fast or irregular heartbeat) - Shortness of breath - Dizziness or fainting - High blood pressure or a history of heart disease
Summary
An ECG is a simple yet powerful tool for assessing heart health. If you have any symptoms related to heart problems, consult a doctor for further evaluation.
Source recommendations
1. 2022 AHA/ACC/HRS Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Patients With Cardiac Arrhythmias
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/cir.0000000000000499
- https://www.heartrhythmjournal.com/article/S1547-5271(22)01946-4/fulltext
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000000628
- https://www.jacc.org/doi/abs/10.1016/j.jacc.2018.10.044
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1547527122019464
2. 2023 European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines on the Management of Acute Coronary Syndromes
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-Coronary-Syndromes-ACS-Guidelines
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37622654/
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/44/38/3720/7243210
- https://www.acc.org/Latest-in-Cardiology/ten-points-to-remember/2023/08/29/14/01/2023-esc-guidelines-acs-esc-2023
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/45/13/1145/7611911
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If you or your loved ones experience any of these symptoms, you should consult a doctor in time. Remember that self-medication can be dangerous, and timely diagnosis will preserve the quality and life expectancy.
The heart is an organ that does not know how to "keep silent" if something goes wrong. Chest pain, shortness of breath, swelling, dizziness, and rhythm disturbances are the symptoms that require our attention. The best prevention of heart disease is careful attention to your health, regular checkups with a doctor, and a healthy lifestyle. Take care of your heart, and it will serve you for many years!
Our advantages:
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Every 3-5 years, half of the scientific approaches to treatment in the field of cardiology are reviewed as a result of specialized scientific discoveries. With us, you don't have to wait these years to learn about the best ways to treat you and your loved ones.