EKG, also known as an electrocardiogram, is a method to monitor the electrical activity of the heart very popular today, almost all medical facilities use electrocardiogram as a main diagnostic tool for cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is necessary for medical professionals to understand the basic and advanced knowledge of EKG. Here are the benefits for medical professionals from taking an advanced EKG class.
What is EKG?
The electrocardiogram or EKG is a non-broken and non-straight line that often has the same period. Because the EKG records the variations in the electrical current generated by the heart during contractions.
EKG is important evidence in diagnosing the current state of the heart. The lines show the bold speed and rhythm of the human heart. This is indirect evidence of blood flow to the heart.
In the chambers of the heart, electrical impulses are always produced during the activity of the heart. The EKG records the signals as this current flows through a separate conduction system.
Diseases that can be detected by looking at an EKG electrocardiogram such as angina, arrhythmia, etc. EKG is considered a routine test at the hospital of people with heart disease.
Benefits for medical professionals taking an advanced EKG class
An EKG test records the changes of electrical conduction in the heart, thereby helping doctors diagnose diseases such as arrhythmia and conduction disturbances in the heart, myocardial infarction, anemia. the myocardium, heart failure, pericardial effusion, acute pericarditis, chronic heart failure, disturbances of electrolytes in the blood, thickening of the myocardium wall….. Not only do cardiologists need to learn about EKG, mastering the knowledge of EKG will help all medical professionals to be able to diagnose diseases more accurately. The benefits of taking advanced EKG classes will enable professionals to :
- Diagnosis of myocardial infarction: when the myocardium is deprived of blood and oxygen easily leading to damage or necrosis, the electrical conduction capacity of the myocardium will change and be recorded on the electrocardiogram, this is one of the most valuable diagnostics of this laboratory method;
- Diagnosis of myocardial ischemia: when the heart muscle is ischemic, it will show a flat, negative T wave image on the electrocardiogram;
- Diagnosis and monitoring of cardiac arrhythmias: abnormalities at the origin of the rhythm (sinus node, atrial node, myocardium) and one-way conduction abnormalities of the heart will show abnormal heart rhythms on the electrocardiogram. ;
- Diagnosis and monitoring of conduction system arrhythmias: conduction damage or incoherence shows abnormalities in the electrical branch of the heart on the electrocardiogram (AV block, bundle branch block). ;
- Diagnosis of large heart diseases when the myocardium is thickened or dilated: the process of depolarization and repolarization of the myocardium will change, thereby on the electrocardiogram paper will give certain hints about the condition of the large heart chambers, although However, the value of EKG is not dominant in this case because criteria vary greatly depending on race, many confounding factors and poor sensitivity, there are many better diagnostic tools for cardiomegaly in medicine;
- Diagnosis of some biochemical blood changes: electrocardiogram is due to the movement of ions (sodium, potassium, calcium…). When there is a change in the concentration of these substances, the electrocardiogram is likely to change;
- Diagnosis of some drug poisonings: digoxin alters the ST segment of all poles, tricyclic antidepressants prolong the QT interval;
EKG is indicated in many cases: the elderly (with a high risk of cardiovascular disease), people with high blood pressure, with disorders of blood lipid metabolism (hyperlipidemia), diabetes mellitus, smoking, angina, symptoms of palpitations, shortness of breath, history of syncope or emergency hospital admission for any reason… Many cases of cardiovascular disease are discovered incidentally through electrocardiography. EKG (although the patient has no symptoms such as chest pain, palpitations, or shortness of breath…). Therefore, taking advanced EKG classes is essential for medical professionals. Currently, some top classes such as EKG courses in Denver and Colorado Springs will help medical professionals have a solid knowledge of EKG from which to diagnose diseases more accurately.
Notes on using the EKG method
The patient will be explained by the medical staff about the technique and guided through the procedures before conducting the test.
Before performing an EKG, the patient needs to list fully the main symptoms and accompanying symptoms, important information (medical history, family history), cardiovascular risk factors (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, cardiac arrhythmia) including anxiety, stress, or recent life changes, all medications, supplements, vitamins taking and dosages You also need to tell your doctor.
EKG is a safe test, does not cause harm to health, can be done at any time, does not involve meals, does not have to fast when doing an electrocardiogram.
To avoid interference with the electrocardiogram recording electrodes, when conducting an EKG reading, the patient should lie down quietly, remove metal objects from the body (watch, belt, key…), take off The buttons on the shirt reveal the chest area, the hands are placed parallel to the body, the legs are stretched out. The patient needs to relax and follow the instructions of the medical staff during the measurement.
Depending on the progression of the disease, the doctor will decide whether to do multiple EKGs at different intervals.
EKG readings are complex, requiring expertise in Cardiology and training. Based on the recorded results, the specialist can determine whether a clinical symptom of a cardiac disorder is present. Patients can understand the basic electrocardiogram through the conclusion of the test sheet. If you want to understand more deeply, you need to talk to your doctor.
Conclusion
An electrocardiogram is an effective technique to help diagnose myocardial infarction. This technique is being successfully applied by medical experts in the examination and diagnosis of many types of cardiovascular diseases in general and myocardial infarction in particular. Above is an article about the benefits of medical professionals when taking an advanced EKG class, hopefully, the article will bring back useful information for you.