About-Cardio
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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 Measurements
Introduction
Electrocardiography (ECG or EKG) is a fundamental tool in cardiology that records the electrical activity of the heart. It is used to diagnose various heart conditions such as arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, and electrolyte imbalances.
Key ECG Measurements
1. Heart Rate (HR)
- Measured in beats per minute (bpm).
- Normal resting heart rate: 60–100 bpm.
- Bradycardia: HR < 60 bpm.
- Tachycardia: HR > 100 bpm.
2. P wave (Atrial Depolarization)
- Normal duration: < 120 ms.
- Prolonged P wave may indicate atrial enlargement.
3. PR Interval (Atrial Conduction Time)
- Normal range: 120–200 ms.
- Prolonged PR interval suggests first-degree AV block.
4. QRS Complex (Ventricular Depolarization)
- Normal duration: < 120 ms.
- Prolonged QRS may indicate bundle branch block or ventricular hypertrophy.
5. QT Interval (Total Ventricular Activity)
- Depends on heart rate (corrected as QTc).
- Prolonged QTc can lead to dangerous arrhythmias (e.g., torsades de pointes).
6. ST Segment (Early Ventricular Repolarization)
- Normal: Should be isoelectric (flat).
- Elevation may indicate acute myocardial infarction.
- Depression may indicate ischemia.
7. T Wave (Ventricular Repolarization)
- Inverted T waves may suggest ischemia or electrolyte disturbances.
8. U Wave (Purkinje Fiber Repolarization)
- Prominent U waves may be seen in hypokalemia.
Importance of ECG Measurements
ECG interpretation requires understanding context, a patient's symptoms, and medical history. Certain abnormalities may warrant further tests like echocardiography or stress tests.
Conclusion
ECG is a crucial diagnostic tool with multiple measurable components that help assess the heart’s electrical function. Understanding these measurements allows for early detection and treatment of cardiac conditions.
Source recommendations
1. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines for the Management of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Atrial-Fibrillation
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16908781/
- https://www.escardio.org/static-file/Escardio/Guidelines/Documents/ehaa612.pdf
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/42/5/373/5899003
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11583910/
2. American Heart Association (AHA) Guidelines for ECG Interpretation
- https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/diagnosing-a-heart-attack/electrocardiogram-ecg-or-ekg
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.108.191095
- https://www.heart.org/-/media/files/affiliates/mwa/kansas-city/kc-cardiac-and-stroke-symposium/2020-event-documents/cardiac-presentations/2-ecg-hockstad.pdf?la=en
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.108.191098
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19281932/
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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:
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Our answers to your questions are based on the clinical recommendations of countries with the most developed healthcare systems in the field of cardiology in the USA, the EU and Japan.
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We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
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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.