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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.
What Does EKG Mean?
Introduction
An EKG (or ECG) stands for Electrocardiogram. It is a simple and painless test used to record the electrical activity of the heart. Doctors use this test to evaluate the heart’s rhythm, detect abnormalities, and diagnose various heart conditions.
How Does an EKG Work?
The heart generates tiny electrical impulses that help it beat in a coordinated manner. These impulses travel through the heart and cause it to contract, pumping blood throughout the body. An EKG records these impulses using small sensors (electrodes) placed on the skin.
Key Uses of an EKG:
- Detect heart rhythm abnormalities (arrhythmias)
- Monitor heart conditions such as heart attacks or ischemia
- Evaluate chest pain to determine if it is heart-related
- Check the effectiveness of heart treatments (e.g., pacemakers, medications)
Understanding EKG Readings
A standard EKG consists of waves and segments: - P wave – Represents atrial contraction (upper heart chambers) - QRS complex – Shows ventricular contraction (lower heart chambers) - T wave – Represents heart relaxation between beats
Abnormalities in these waves may indicate conditions such as: - Atrial fibrillation (AFib) – A common irregular heartbeat - Myocardial infarction (Heart Attack) – Signs of poor blood supply to the heart - Bundle branch block – Issues with electrical signal conduction
Conclusion
EKGs are crucial tools for diagnosing and monitoring heart health. If you ever experience symptoms like chest pain, irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or shortness of breath, your doctor may order an EKG for further evaluation.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association: Guidelines on Electrocardiography
- 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/19281932/
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.106.180200
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10483977/
2. European Society of Cardiology: Recommendations for ECG Interpretation
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines
- https://academic.oup.com/eurheartj/article-abstract/39/16/1466/2965923
- https://www.escardio.org/Guidelines/Clinical-Practice-Guidelines/Neonatal-Electrocardiogram-Guidelines-for-the-interpretation-of-the
- https://www.uwmedicine.org/sites/stevie/files/2018-11/Provider-Resources-Cardiology-international_criteria_for_electrocardiographic_interpretation_in_athletes.pdf
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.113.006179
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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.