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 EKG Rhythms
Introduction
Electrocardiography (EKG or ECG) is a diagnostic tool that measures the electrical activity of the heart. By analyzing EKG rhythms, healthcare professionals can assess heart function, detect arrhythmias, and diagnose various cardiac conditions.
Normal Sinus Rhythm (NSR)
- The expected rhythm of a healthy heart
- P wave present before every QRS complex
- Regular rate (60-100 bpm)
Common Arrhythmias
1. Bradycardia (Slow Heart Rate)
- Sinus Bradycardia: Regular but slow rhythm (<60 bpm)
- Heart Blocks: Delay or blockage in the electrical signal
- First-degree AV block: Prolonged PR interval
- Second-degree AV block: Occasional missed QRS complexes
- Third-degree AV block: No conduction between atria and ventricles
2. Tachycardia (Fast Heart Rate)
- Sinus Tachycardia: Regular but fast rhythm (>100 bpm)
- Atrial Fibrillation (AFib): Irregular rhythm, no distinct P waves
- Atrial Flutter: Regular, “sawtooth” flutter waves
- Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT): Sudden onset, very fast rhythm
3. Ventricular Arrhythmias
- Premature Ventricular Contractions (PVCs): Early, wide QRS complexes
- Ventricular Tachycardia (VTach): Rapid, wide QRS complexes (life-threatening)
- Ventricular Fibrillation (VFib): Chaotic, disorganized electrical activity (requires immediate defibrillation)
Conclusion
EKG rhythms provide essential insights into heart health. Recognizing normal and abnormal rhythms helps in early detection and treatment of cardiac disorders. Regular checkups and prompt medical attention for symptoms like palpitations, dizziness, or chest pain are crucial for heart health.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association Guidelines for 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 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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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.