Alyssa Stone - EKG and ECG Interpretation: Learn EKG Interpretation, Rhythms, and Arrhythmia Fast!

EKG and ECG Interpretation

Learn EKG Interpretation, Rhythms, and Arrhythmia Fast!

Table of Contents

T able Of Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1 - The Basics Of EKG/ECG

Chapter 2 - Electrocardiogram: Uses, Procedure and Types

Chapter 3 - Electrocardiogram: Basic Analysis and Interpretation of Rhythm and Rate

Chapter 4 - ECG Interpretation For Waves and Intervals

Chapter 5 - Irregular ECG Readings: Arrhythmias

Chapter 6 - Tips For A Healthy Heart: No To Arrhythmias

Conclusion

Introduction

I want to thank you and congratulate you for downloading the book, EKG and ECG Interpretation.

This book contains helpful information about ECG interpretation, and how to interpret a range of different heartbeats and rhythms.

You will discover exactly what ECG interpretation is, how it is conducted, and the equipment required. You will learn about the different types of ECG, and how each one is performed and recorded.

Youll be shown how to read an ECG graph, and determine if a heartbeat is regular or not. This includes determining different ailments, heart rate, rhythm, and looking out for arrhythmias.

This book will provide you the steps and strategies required to successfully understand and interpret the different heart rhythms, and determine if your heart is functioning properly!

Thanks again for downloading this book, I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 1 The Basics of EKG/ECG

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is a combination of three words electro, cardio, and gram, which mean electricity, heart, and recording, respectively. Simply put, it is a recording of the electrical activity of the heart. ECG is a non-invasive diagnostic procedure that can help determine the condition of the heart to a certain degree. It is also known as EKG because of the Greek word kardia for heart.

Review of the Cardiovascular System

To understand ECG better and the steps in interpreting it, a review of the anatomy and physiology of the heart is important. Here it is:

The heart is a muscular organ made up of four chambers, two atria (right and left) and two ventricles (right and left). Its size is estimated to be that of the size of a persons closed fist. It acts as the pump to circulate oxygenated blood from the heart to the vital organs first, then to the remaining parts of the body. Together with the lungs and vascular system, the heart works to turn deoxygenated (oxygen deprived) blood to oxygenated blood for distribution around the body.

Blood Flow through the Heart

It is also important to know how blood flows through the heart into all body parts. Starting on the hearts right upper chamber called the right atrium, the deoxygenated blood from the upper extremities and head will enter the heart via the superior vena cava. The blood coming from the lower parts of the body would enter the right atrium through the inferior vena cava. Oxygen deprived blood from the heart itself will go back to the heart via the coronary sinus.

From the right atrium, blood would pass through the tricuspid valve going to the right ventricle. The tricuspid prevents the backflow of blood from ventricle to atrium, as blood flow is unidirectional or flows in one direction only. From the right ventricle, blood will pass through the pulmonary artery, which is the only artery that carries deoxygenated blood. It would go to the lungs where gas exchange takes place. In here, the release of carbon dioxide and the absorption of oxygen will take place, making the deoxygenated blood become oxygenated blood.

The oxygenated blood will go back to the heart through the pulmonary vein, which is the only vein that carries oxygenated blood, to the left atrium. Then it will pass through the bicuspid valve to go to the left ventricle. Just like the tricuspid valve, the bicuspid valve will prevent the backflow of the blood. From the left ventricle, it would pass through the semilunar aortic valve, aorta and then to the systemic circulation. This cycle would then be repeated.

Your heart pumps around 5-6 liters of blood per minute, totaling to 7200-7500 liters throughout a whole day. The normal average heartbeat for adults is about 80-100 per minute.

With this knowledge, it will be easier to understand the conduction system or the electrical activity of the heart, which is the main purpose of ECG.

Understanding the Conduction System

The conduction system is why your heart pumps. How does this happen? Just like a regular pump machine that needs a power source and electricity for it to run, the heart needs electricity, too. The difference is that the heart is able to create the electrical impulses that it needs and controls the impulses through a specialized conduction pathway.

This conduction pathway is composed of the following:

The Sino-atrial node or SA node

The Atrio-ventricular node or AV node

The bundle of His

The left and right bundle

The Purkinje fibers

The SA node is known as the pacemaker of the heart as it is the one that initiates the impulse. From the SA node, the electric impulse will travel up to the AV node. From the AV node, the impulse will pass to the bundle of His. It will continue downward to the left and right bundles. Finally, the last destination of the impulse is at the Purkinje fibers. This is equivalent to one rhythmic heartbeat.

In a normal person, this will occur 80-100 times per minute. In case the SA node fails to transmit an impulse, the AV node will take over. However, it can only do as many as 40 to 60 impulses, giving 40-60 beats per minute (bpm). Again, if the AV node fails, the survival instinct of the body will take over and the bundle of His will take over. It can generate up to 20 t0 40 impulses only. Still, if that fails, the Purkinje fiber will take the role of the SA node, but its capacity is only 0-20 impulses.

The purpose of ECG

This is where ECG comes in. As the impulses will initiate the rhythmic beat of the heart, any deviation from what this system normally does can affect the whole body. Hence, it is very important to assess the condition of the conduction system, especially to those with existing cardiovascular disorders.

Chapter 2 - Electrocardiogram: Uses, Procedure and Types

ECG or EKG is a painless diagnostic exam that is helpful in determining any abnormality of the structure, function and rhythm of the heart.

Uses of ECG

The doctor may order ECG to determine the following:

The condition of the conduction system or electrical activity of the heart

The rate of the heart

The rhythm of the heart

The presence of ischemia (poor blood flow)

The occurrence of a heart attack

The cause of a chest pain

Hypertrophy or enlargement of the chambers of the heart

Other structural deviations such as obstructions, holes, thickening of lining or stenosis (narrowing) of valves, to name a few

Aside from these, the doctor may also order ECG for the following reasons:

For complaints of shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness or palpitations

To determine if the cardiac medicines prescribed to a person are working

If a device, such as a pacemaker implant, is functioning well

To monitor the health of the heart of those with a family history of cardiac ailments and other medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, coronary artery disorders, atherosclerosis, kidney problems and others