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 Normal ECG Rhythm
Introduction
An electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) is a test that measures the electrical activity of your heart. A normal ECG rhythm indicates that the heart is functioning properly and pumping blood effectively.
Key Features of a Normal ECG
- Heart Rate: Typically between 60–100 beats per minute (bpm) at rest.
- Rhythm: The heart's rhythm should be regular, meaning a consistent pattern.
- P Wave: Represents atrial depolarization (the electrical activation of the atria). It should be small and rounded before each QRS complex.
- PR Interval: Normal range is 120–200 milliseconds (ms), representing the electrical delay between atrial and ventricular activation.
- QRS Complex: Represents ventricular depolarization. It should last 80–120 ms.
- ST Segment and T Wave: The ST segment should be relatively flat, and the T wave should have a normal upright contour (except in some leads where it may be inverted normally).
Clinical Relevance
A normal ECG suggests good cardiac function, but it's important to consider symptoms and other risk factors. An abnormal ECG could indicate conditions like arrhythmias, ischemia, or structural heart disease.
When to See a Doctor?
- If you experience chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, or breathlessness.
- If your ECG shows abnormalities such as irregular rhythms, abnormal wave patterns, or conduction delays.
Conclusion
Understanding a normal ECG rhythm is crucial for detecting heart problems early. Always consult a healthcare provider if you suspect anything unusual in your ECG readings.
Source recommendations
1. American Heart Association (AHA) 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://cpr.heart.org/en/courses/acls-prep-ecg-pharmacology
- https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.106.180200
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19281932/
2. European Society of Cardiology (ESC) Guidelines on Cardiac Rhythm Disturbances
- 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/Sub-specialty-communities/European-Heart-Rhythm-Association-(EHRA)
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14557344/
- https://www.heartrhythmjournal.com/article/S1547-5271(23)02246-4/fulltext
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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.