What are the advantages of ECG?
When an ECG is used An ECG can help detect: arrhythmias – where the heart beats too slowly, too quickly, or irregularly. coronary heart disease – where the heart’s blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances. heart attacks – where the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked.
Is right axis deviation serious?
Although not a dangerous finding in and of itself, axis deviation may be an indication of a serious underlying condition. A careful history to elicit acute cardiac injury is therefore of utmost importance.
Why is axis deviation important?
Right axis deviation (RAD) involves the direction of depolarisation being distorted to the right (between +90º and +180º). The most common cause of RAD is right ventricular hypertrophy. Extra right ventricular tissue results in a stronger electrical signal being generated by the right side of the heart.
What is Rs in ECG?
The R wave is the first upward deflection after the P wave and part of the QRS complex. The R wave morphology itself is not of great clinical importance but can vary at times. The R wave should be small in lead V1.
What is the main advantage of using a portable ECG machine?
The portable EKG monitor has the following advantages: small in weight and size; transmits data in real time to a smartphone or computer; simple to operate and maintain; sometimes has a display for presenting data on the screen.
Is ECG test harmful?
The ECG will not harm you. However, it can sometimes show mild nonspecific abnormalities that are not due to underlying heart disease, but cause worry and lead to follow-up tests and treatments that you do not need.
What are the 3 types of ECG?
There are three main components to an ECG: the P wave, which represents depolarization of the atria; the QRS complex, which represents depolarization of the ventricles; and the T wave, which represents repolarization of the ventricles.
What happens if you have right axis deviation?
When right axis deviation is a new finding, it can be due to an exacerbation of lung disease, a pulmonary embolus, or simply a tachycardia. If right axis deviation is a change from previous ECGs, question the patient for symptoms consistent with an exacerbation of lung disease or a pulmonary embolus.
What causes right axis deviation of the heart?
The pathophysiology depends on the specific cause of right axis deviation. Most causes can be attributed to one of four main mechanisms. These include right ventricular hypertrophy, reduced muscle mass of left ventricle, altered conduction pathways and change in the position of the heart in the chest.
What is abnormal ECG?
An abnormal ECG can mean many things. Sometimes an ECG abnormality is a normal variation of a heart’s rhythm, which does not affect your health. Other times, an abnormal ECG can signal a medical emergency, such as a myocardial infarction /heart attack or a dangerous arrhythmia.
Why is Axis important in ECG?
The axis of the ECG is the major direction of the overall electrical activity of the heart. It can be normal, leftward (left axis deviation, or LAD), rightward (right axis deviation, or RAD) or indeterminate (northwest axis). The QRS axis is the most important to determine.