merckmanuals.So, in terms of deciding whether the test is positive for myocardial ischemia, the ST segment is really the key thing that we need to look at. tests-procedures/ekg/details/results/rsc-20302177 HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartAttack/SymptomsDiagnosisofHeartAttack/Electrocardiogram-ECG-or-EKG_UCM_309050_Article.jsp healthlibrary/test_procedures/cardiovascular/electrocardiogram_92,p07970/ You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. This may be the case if a person doesn’t have troublesome symptoms or if the abnormality is not cause for concern. Sometimes, a doctor may not recommend any treatments for an abnormal EKG. This person may require fluids, electrolyte-containing beverages, or medications to restore electrolytes. For example, a person with dehydration may have imbalanced electrolytes that are causing an abnormal EKG. People with electrolyte imbalances may require correction with medications or fluids. Someone having a heart attack may require cardiac catheterization or surgery to allow blood flow to return to the heart. Other people may require medications taken regularly to maintain a more normal heart rhythm. This person may require a pacemaker, which helps restore the heart to a more normal rhythm. For example, some people have a very slow heartbeat where the heart doesn’t conduct electrical signals in the correct order. Treatment response to an abnormal EKG typically depends on the underlying cause. Examples of medications that affect heart rhythm include beta-blockers, sodium channel blockers, and calcium channel blockers. Sometimes, medications given to improve the heart’s rhythm can have the reverse effect and cause arrhythmias. Medication side effects: Taking certain medications can impact a heart’s rate and rhythm. An EKG can reveal if the heart is beating out of rhythm or sequence. Heart rhythm abnormalities: A heart typically beats in a steady rhythm. An EKG can determine if the heart is beating too fast or too slow. Heart rate abnormalities: A typical human heart rate is between 60 and 100 beats per minute (bpm). Ischemia, or lack of blood flow, may also cause an abnormal EKG. This tissue will not conduct electricity as well, which can cause an abnormal EKG. Heart attack or ischemia: During a heart attack, blood flow in the heart is affected and heart tissue can begin to lose oxygen and die. If your electrolytes are imbalanced, you may have an abnormal EKG reading. Potassium, calcium, and magnesium are electrolytes. This can signal that the heart is working harder than normal to pump blood.Įlectrolyte imbalances : Electrolytes are electricity-conducting particles in the body that help keep the heart muscle beating in rhythm. These include:ĭefects or abnormalities in the heart’s shape and size: An abnormal EKG can signal that one or more aspects of the heart’s walls are larger than another. Ideally, an EKG can measure any potential disruptions.īecause an EKG measures so many different aspects of the heart’s function, abnormal results can signify several issues. ![]() This area divides into fibers that provide current to the left and right ventricles.Īny disruption in this current can affect the heart’s ability to work well. ![]() The current then flows to an area known as the bundle of His. The electrical current then goes to the atrioventricular (AV) node, which signals the ventricles to contract. Typically, the heart conducts electricity in a standard pathway from the right atrium to the left atrium. Instead, it conducts and measures electrical activity. The EKG machine doesn’t generate electricity. The test itself typically takes five minutes or less. You don’t have to do anything special to prepare for the test. Undergoing an EKG procedure isn’t painful. The electrodes sense the electrical impulses coming from multiple directions. These are placed on designated areas around the heart and on the arms and legs. An EKG machine is typically a portable machine that has 12 leads, or long, flexible, wire-like tubes attached to sticky electrodes.
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