ECG Vs Echocardiogram

The terms “electrocardiogram” (ECG) and “EKG,” which stand for the same test, are distinct acronyms. An ECG is a test to assess how well a person’s heart’s electrical system is working. An ECG is sometimes known as an electrocardiograph.

The term EKG, which stands for electrocardiogram, is based on the German spelling, electrocardiogram , according to MedlinePlus from the US National Library of Medicine. It is sometimes use by medical practitioners to distinguish between ECGs and electroencephalograms, or ECGs, which are tests to assess brain waves.

EKG Vs. an Echocardiogram

EKG

• An EKG searches for problems with the heart’s rhythm.
• The sinoatrial or sinus node, the area of the heart that causes it to beat, can be discover via an EKG by a medical practitioner.
• The atrioventricular node;
• The heart’s nerve conduction pathways;
• The heart’s pace and rhythm;
• The size or thickness of specific heart chambers;
• A healthcare provider can use an EKG to diagnose a number of conditions, including:
• Heart attacks; thickening of the heart’s walls
• Blocked blood vessels; cause of chest pain
• Arrhythmia, a problem with the heart’s rhythm
• Heart irregularities and heart failure

EKGs may also be use by medical expert to look for heart attacks that have already occur or for silent heart attacks. When a heart attack occur, it may not be immediately noticeable. It is due to the absence of chest discomfort, nausea, or evident sign like shortness of breath.

Procedure

• An EKG can be obtain in a number of settings, including a hospital or a healthcare provider’s office.
• Before having an EKG, a person doesn’t need to do anything to get ready.
• EKGs are quick and easy to do. An EKG is perform by a medical expert in around 3 minutes.
• A person may go through the following actions during an EKG:
• The medical expert might request that the patient lie down on a bed or examining table.
• A person could remove cloth covering their chest.
• The patient’s arms, legs, and chest will then be fit with electrodes by the medical expert. These electrodes are skin-attached sensors called electrodes. To properly secure the electrodes, the medical expert might need to remove any extra hair in these regions.
• The electrodes then gauge the strength and direction of electrical impulses produce by each beats in the subject’s heart.
• The person’s heart activity is record by a computer connected to the electrodes. On a monitor or printout, the heart’s electrical activity may be visible.
• The medical professional will take the electrodes out of the patient’s skin after the test is over.

Echocardiogram/ EKG

Although both EKGs and echocardiograms monitor the heart, they are two different exams. Using electrodes,  searches for anomalies in the electrical impulses of the heart. An ultrasound is used during an echocardiogram to check for structural anomalies in the heart. Depending on the situation, a person can require both an echocardiogram and an EKG.

Results

• The medical expert might discuss the result of an electrocardiogram test with the patient after it is finish.
• The presence of a heart disease is not necessarily indicate by abnormal EKG readings.
• According to a 2015 study, a significant portion of competitive athletes reported unreliable EKG findings. The athletes’ erratic findings are cause by their bodies’ normal responses to exercise, and they were safe. But the sample size for this study was modest.
• However, some severe illnesses can result in abnormal EKG findings. A medical expert can discuss any necessary therapies with a patient after an EKG. If it is abnormal, additional testing, like as an echocardiography, may be necessary.

Conclusion

Tests for ECG and EKG are same. An electrocardiogram will be perform by a medical practitioner to assist identify specific heart issues.

EKG testing are quick and painless. Typically, an electrocardiogram  take 3 minutes to complete. After receiving it, a patient might discuss the data with a medical expert.

A person’s electrocardiogram reading can become erratic for a variety of reasons. But for some persons, abnormal of it result can be expect.

Those who are concern about their hearts.