We offer comprehensive diagnostic and treatment services such as the self diagnostic EKG machine by Burdick.
The EKG can be run in a matter of minutes with immediate results. The hard copy can also be faxed to our physician; an expert at reading EKG results in a hospital setting for further diagnosis.
What is an electrocardiogram?
An electrocardiogram (commonly referred to as EKG or ECG) is a measurement of the electrical activity of the heart.
By placing electrodes at specific locations on the body (chest, arms, and legs), a graphic representation, or tracing, of the electrical activity can be obtained.
Changes in an EKG from the normal tracing can be indicative of one or more heart-related conditions, but non-heart-related conditions may also cause changes in the EKG as well.
The heart's electrical system:
The heart — in the simplest of terms — is a pump made up of muscle tissue. Like all pumps, the heart requires a source of energy in order to function properly. That pumping energy comes from an intrinsic electrical conduction system.
How does the heart beat?
An electrical stimulus is generated by the sinus node (also called the sinoatrial node or SA node); which is a small mass of specialized tissue located in the right atrium (right upper chamber) of the heart. The sinus node generates an electrical stimulus periodically (60 to 100 times per minute under normal conditions).
This electrical stimulus travels down through the conduction pathways (similar to the way electricity flows through power lines from the power plant to your house) and causes the chambers of the heart to contract and pump out blood. The right and left atria (the two upper chambers of the heart) are stimulated first and contract a short period of time before the right and left ventricles (the two lower chambers of the heart). The electrical impulse travels from the sinus node to the atrioventricular (AV) node, where it stops for a very short period of time before continuing down the conduction pathways via the bundle of His into the ventricles. The bundle of His divides into right and left pathways to provide electrical stimulation to both ventricles.
Normally, as the electrical impulse moves through the heart, it contracts about 60 to 100 times a minute. Each contraction represents one heartbeat. The atria contract a fraction of a second before the ventricles so their blood empties into the ventricles before the ventricles contract.
Under some conditions, almost all heart tissue is capable of starting a heartbeat, or becoming the pacemaker.
An arrhythmia occurs when:
- The heart's natural pacemaker develops an abnormal rate or rhythm
- The normal conduction pathway is interrupted
- Another part of the heart takes over as pacemaker
|
How does the physician know what an EKG means?
Almost everyone knows what a basic EKG tracing looks like. But what does it mean?
The first little upward notch is called the "P wave". It indicates that the atria (the two upper chambers of the heart) are contracting to pump out blood.
The next part is a short downward section connected to a tall upward section. This is called the "QRS complex". It indicates that the ventricles (the two lower chambers of the heart) are contracting to pump out blood.
The next short upward segment is called the "ST segment". It indicates the amount of time from the end of the contraction of the ventricles to the beginning of the rest period before the ventricles begin to contract for the next beat.
The next upward curve is called the "T wave". It indicates the resting period of the ventricles.
When your physician studies your EKG, he/she looks at the size and length of each part of the EKG. Variations in size and length of the different parts of the tracing may be significant. The tracing for each lead of a 12-lead EKG will look different, but will have the same basic components as described above. Each lead of a 12-lead EKG is "looking" at a specific part of the heart. So variations in a lead may indicate a problem with the part of the heart associated with that lead.
How is an EKG performed?
An EKG is one of the simplest and fastest procedures used to evaluate the heart. An EKG technician, nurse or physician will place 12 separate electrodes (small plastic patches) at specific locations on your chest, arms and legs. Eight of the electrodes will be placed on your chest, and one electrode will be placed on each arm and leg. The electrodes may be self-sticking or a gel may be applied to make the electrodes adhere to the skin. You will be lying down on a flat surface and the leads (wires) will be connected to the electrodes on your skin. You will need to lie very still and not talk during the EKG procedure because any movement or talking could interfere with the tracing.
The technician, nurse or physician will start the tracing; which will take just a few minutes. You will not feel anything during the tracing. Once a clear tracing has been obtained, the leads and electrodes will be removed and you will be free to continue on with your usual activities (unless directed otherwise by your physician).
An EKG can indicate the presence of arrhythmias (an abnormal rhythm of the heart), damage to the heart caused by ischemia (lack of oxygen to the heart muscle) or myocardial infarction (MI or heart attack), a problem with one or more of the heart valves or other types of heart conditions.
For more information or to get a FREE phone consultation and setup an appointment, please contact us online or call our Patient Care Coordinator at 972.239.6317 x134. |
