Blocked blood flow to the heart is called a heart attack. It can damage or kill heart muscle tissue. Its important to find a past heart attack. It helps doctors see their heart health, and can help prevent future issues. An electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG) is a one of the common tools for checking the heart. Can an EKG find past heart attack? Let’s find out.
What is an EKG?
The EKG is a a simple and non invasive test. It watches the heart’s electrical activity. An electrode is then placed on the skin. They pick up signals as the heart beats over. The results are listed as wave forms. These waveforms look like heart rhythm, electrical activity and possible problems. EKGs are used by doctors to diagnose common conditions of the heart, including arrhythmias, heart attacks, as well as many other abnormalities.
The test is also quick and painless. It usually happens in a doctor’s office or hospital or an emergency room. People with heart disease risk factors usually get an EKG in many routine check ups.
EKG Finding the Signs of a Heart Attack
An EKG will show a current heart attack and a past one. When it finds changes in the heart’s electrical patterns, it does this. Here are the main ways an EKG identifies heart attacks:
- ST-Segment Changes: The ST segment may rise or drop during a heart attack. It shows a lack of oxygen in the heart.
- Q Waves: Deep Q waves mean old heart attacks. They suggest permanent damage. This means a part of the heart muscle has died from lack of blood circulation.
- T-Wave Inversions: Abnormalities of the T-wave can suggest ischemic alterations, and this is grounds for thinking over a previous myocardial infarction.
- Bundle Branch Blocks: Abnormality in the conducting system of the heart which might appear in an EKG might be due to prior myocardial infarction.
Symptoms That May Represent a History of a Heart Attack
Sometimes, someone actually doesn't know he or she had a heart attack, even a mild or silent one. But past heart attacks still affect your health. Common symptoms that may indicate a previous heart attack include:
- Unexplained fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Chest discomfort or pressure
- Dizziness or fainting
- Swelling in the legs or feet
See a doctor if you have any of these symptoms. They may also order you an EKG to check if there is past heart damage.
Limits of an EKG
An EKG test in las vegas is useful, but it has some limits:
- Missed Heart Attacks: An EKG doesn’t pick up on some small or silent heart attacks. That is because minor damage might not produce substantial electrical changes.
- Other Causes: Changes similar to those caused by ECG changes can occur from other conditions such as medication side effects, electrolyte imbalances, or heart muscle disorders.
- Extra Tests May Be Needed: If it's unclear on the EKG, doctors may order more tests. Whereas these additional tests allow a more accurate picture of heart health.
Other Blood Tests for Past Heart Attacks
Doctors may use other tests to confirm a past heart attack:
- Echocardiogram: It uses sound waves to check heart movement and damage. Once installed, it may be used to locate parts of the heart that do not contract easily because of prior damage.
- Cardiac MRI: Clear images of the heart. It can even show structural changes, such as scar tissue.
- Blood Tests: If the damage is past and it has come and gone, it's not lurking in your blood right now, the troponin levels will show that. When heart muscle is damaged, troponin is released from soles in the muscle.
- Stress Testing: It sees how the heart works under physical stress. Reduced blood flow in parts of the heart during a heart attack in the past can be shown as a stress test.
- Coronary Angiography: A test that uses dye and other X-rays to look at the coronary arteries. It also helps doctors see if there are blockage.
To Prevent Future Heart Problems
If an EKG or other test shows you had a past heart attack, your doctor will also suggest ways to protect your heart. These may include:
- Lifestyle Changes: Following a healthy diet, regular exercise, giving up smoking and controlling stress.
- Medications: If all the known evidence is piling up on doctors, they may prescribe medications such as aspirin, beta blockers, statins, and drugs to lower blood pressure to protect the heart.
- Regular Check-Ups: Heart check ups are routine and help keep track your heart health and prevent any problems in the future.
Conclusion
Past heart attacks can be spotted on an EKG. Basically it looks at Q waves and ST segment change. But it is not always perfect. Other tests can be done to confirm heart damage if an EKG test in las vegas is unclear. If you think you had a heart attack, see a doctor! Detection early can save lives. You can take steps to protect your heart and keep from future issues and help you be healthy for years to come.
