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 Abnormal EKG Results
Introduction
An Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a test that records the electrical activity of your heart. It provides essential information about heart rhythm, electrical conduction, and potential heart disorders. An abnormal EKG can indicate various issues, ranging from minor variations to serious cardiac conditions.
Possible Causes of Abnormal EKG
Heart Rhythm Disorders (Arrhythmias):
- Atrial fibrillation (AFib)
- Ventricular tachycardia
- Premature ventricular contractions (PVCs)
Ischemic Heart Disease:
- A sign of past or ongoing heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Ischemia (reduced blood flow to the heart)
Structural Heart Changes:
- Left ventricular hypertrophy (thickening of the heart muscle)
- Cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle)
Electrolyte Imbalances:
- Abnormal potassium, calcium, or magnesium levels
Medication Effects:
- Some drugs can alter heart rhythm and conduction patterns
What to Do Next?
- If you have an abnormal EKG, your doctor may recommend further tests, such as echocardiography, stress tests, or cardiac MRI.
- Lifestyle changes, medications, or procedures (like pacemakers) may be needed, depending on the cause.
Conclusion
An abnormal EKG does not always mean a severe problem, but it should not be ignored. Consulting a cardiologist for further evaluation is essential to determine the underlying cause and necessary treatment.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association: Electrocardiography Recommendations
- 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://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19281930/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.106.180200
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17322457/
2. European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on Cardiac 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/CIR.0000000000000549
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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:
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.
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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.