About-Cardio
-
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 diagnostic tool that records the electrical activity of the heart over a period of time. It is commonly used to detect heart conditions such as arrhythmias, heart attacks, and other heart-related disorders.
How Does an ECG Work?
ECG measures the electrical impulses generated by the heart and translates them into waveforms that can be analyzed by medical professionals. The typical ECG tracing consists of the following components:
- P wave: Represents atrial depolarization (the electrical activity that causes the atria to contract).
- PR interval: The time between atrial and ventricular contraction.
- QRS complex: Represents ventricular depolarization (ventricular contraction).
- ST segment: Can indicate signs of ischemia or infarction if abnormal.
- T wave: Represents ventricular repolarization (the heart's recovery phase).
Common ECG Abnormalities
Several heart conditions can be detected using ECG:
- Atrial fibrillation – Irregular, rapid beating of the atria.
- Bradycardia – Slow heart rate, below 60 bpm.
- Tachycardia – Fast heart rate, above 100 bpm.
- Myocardial infarction (Heart Attack) – Characterized by ST-segment elevation or depression.
- Bundle branch block – A delay or blockage in the electrical signals traveling through the ventricles.
When Should You Get an ECG?
Doctors may recommend an ECG if you experience:
- Chest pain or discomfort.
- Palpitations or irregular heartbeats.
- Shortness of breath.
- Dizziness or fainting.
- High blood pressure or history of heart disease.
Conclusion
ECG is a fundamental tool in cardiology to assess heart health. If your ECG results indicate abnormalities, further tests, such as echocardiography or Holter monitoring, may be required to diagnose the underlying condition.
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 ECG in Clinical Practice
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34458905/
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Acute-Coronary-Syndromes-ACS-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article/39/21/1883/4939241
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines
-
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:
Best practices from USA, EU and Japan
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.
Always up-to-date information
On a daily basis, we monitor for you all new scientific research publications in leading scientific journals on medical issues of interest to you.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
We monitor all innovations and changes in the field of cardiac disease treatment on a daily basis.
Get second opinion
Here you can learn everything that even your doctor may not know about cardiology (if he does not speak English and he does not read 117 leading medical journals on cardiology every month).
The most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free cardiology materials
Our website contains the most comprehensive and up-to-date collection of free cardiology materials in your country.
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.
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.