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 Rhythms
Introduction
Electrocardiography (ECG) is a vital tool in cardiology used to assess the heart's electrical activity. The rhythm of the heart seen on an ECG can provide crucial information about normal function or the presence of arrhythmias (irregular heart rhythms).
Normal Sinus Rhythm
A normal heart rhythm originates in the sinoatrial (SA) node and follows a consistent pattern: - Rate: 60-100 beats per minute (bpm) - P wave: Present, before every QRS complex - QRS complex: Narrow (< 0.12 seconds) - Regular rhythm
Common Arrhythmias
1. Sinus Bradycardia
- Heart rate: < 60 bpm
- Seen in athletes, during sleep, or due to medications
2. Sinus Tachycardia
- Heart rate: > 100 bpm
- Caused by stress, fever, hyperthyroidism, or dehydration
3. Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
- Irregularly irregular rhythm
- No distinct P waves
- Risk of stroke due to blood clots
4. Atrial Flutter
- Sawtooth pattern of P waves
- Often occurs in structural heart disease
5. Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT)
- Very fast rhythm (150-250 bpm)
- Originates above the ventricles
6. Ventricular Tachycardia (VT)
- Wide QRS complex (>0.12s)
- Can lead to cardiac arrest
7. Ventricular Fibrillation (VFib)
- Chaotic electrical activity
- No pulse, life-threatening emergency
8. Heart Blocks
- First-degree: PR interval > 0.20 seconds
- Second-degree: Some dropped beats (Mobitz I and II types)
- Third-degree (Complete): No coordination between atria and ventricles
Conclusion
Understanding ECG rhythms helps in the early diagnosis and management of cardiac conditions. If you ever experience palpitations, dizziness, or fainting, an ECG can help identify potential issues.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines on 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/
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Arrhythmias
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Ventricular-Arrhythmias-and-the-Prevention-of-Sudden-Cardiac-Death
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/43/40/3997/6675633
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Supraventricular-Tachycardia
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36017572/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.cir.0000091380.04100.84
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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!
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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.