What is an EKG?

What is an EKG? An EKG (Electrocardiography) is a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart. This test can determine the timing and duration of each heartbeat. An electrocardiography device records heart activity through electrodes placed on the chest, arms, and legs and creates a graph. Doctors can diagnose various heart diseases by reading this graph.

What is an EKG? It is a method used to monitor heart health and detect potential problems. For an electrocardiography test, electrodes are attached to various parts of the body. These electrodes detect the electrical impulses that initiate each heartbeat and display these signals as traces on a graph. These traces show how fast and regularly each part of the heart is working, providing important information about heart health to doctors.

There are three common types of EKGs:

Standard Electrocardiography

A test taken while the patient is lying down that measures the electrical activity of the heart over a few seconds.

Holter Monitor

A portable device that must be worn for 24 hours or longer. This device continuously records an EKG to detect rhythm problems that may occur during daily activities.

Stress Test

Records heart activity during exercise.

What Does EKG Mean?

Electrocardiography is a medical test that measures the electrical activity of the heart and presents the data as a heart graph. This graph allows for a detailed view of the heart’s electrical impulses, their propagation times, and intensities. Therefore, EKG is a crucial diagnostic tool commonly used during routine health checks or when patients present with heart complaints.

The most important feature of an EKG is that it provides vital information about heart rhythm. It helps to determine whether heartbeats are regular and the duration between each beat. Irregularities in heart rhythm can be a sign of potential heart problems, necessitating further detailed examinations.

Electrocardiography plays a critical role in diagnosing conditions like heart rhythm disorders, but it may not be sufficient alone to determine the cause. In such cases, additional tests such as lung imaging and blood analysis may be needed to identify potential causes of rhythm disorders.

What Diseases Are Diagnosed with EKG?

Some common diseases and emergency conditions diagnosed with electrocardiography include:

Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)

EKG can detect conditions where blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked and a part of the heart muscle is damaged. In a heart attack, changes in the EKG provide important information about the affected area and the extent of the damage.

Arrhythmias

Abnormal heart rhythms can be identified with an EKG. These rhythm disorders may include tachycardia (very fast heartbeats), bradycardia (very slow heartbeats), atrial fibrillation (irregular and often rapid heart rate), and more.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)

Electrocardiography can show conditions where the coronary arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle are narrowed or blocked, resulting in inadequate oxygenation of the heart muscle. This is often associated with chest pain that occurs during exercise.

Cardiomegaly (Heart Enlargement)

EKG can detect conditions such as enlargement of the heart chambers or thickening of the heart walls. These changes may be related to underlying causes such as hypertension or heart valve diseases.

Electrolyte Imbalances

Imbalances in electrolytes like potassium, calcium, and magnesium can cause changes in heart rhythm, which can be detected by EKG.

Pericarditis

Inflammation of the heart’s outer lining (pericardium) can cause changes in the EKG. Specific changes such as elevation in the ST segment and other specific changes may be seen.

Heart Valve Diseases

Malfunctions in the heart valves can indirectly cause changes in the EKG.

Pulmonary Embolism

Rarely, a large pulmonary embolism (blockage in the lung artery) can put excessive pressure on the right side of the heart, leading to significant changes in the EKG.

How Is an EKG Performed?

An EKG is performed while the patient is lying in a comfortable position. First, the patient is informed about the test. Then, 6 electrodes are placed on the chest and a total of 4 electrodes on each arm and leg. Afterward, the Electrocardiography device is activated, and within a few minutes, the electrical activity of the heart is recorded. The patient must remain still during the recording, as movement can distort the test results.

The electrocardiography device produces a detailed graph showing the heart rhythm and the timing of each heartbeat. This graph, which includes various components like the P wave, QRS complex, and T wave, is evaluated by a doctor. The doctor analyzes any abnormalities seen on the graph to understand the heart’s health and may recommend additional tests if necessary.

EKG is a quick and effective method used in emergency situations or during routine health checks to gain information about heart health.