Read about the latest news on ECG / EKG Machines

Imagine having an EKG machine built right into the driver’s seat of your car. Sound like a new movie about the future? Well it’s not. Recently, Ford Motor Corporation has been in the process of integrating health safety technology into their automobiles in an effort to implement healthcare technology into their vehicles to prevent reckless driving danger. Their latest venture is trying to prevent accidents caused by drivers who are at risk of a heart attack.

One prototype is an automobile that has a “smart- seat” with an EKG machine sensors built into the driver’s seat of the car. The seat has six built in sensors that are able to sense electrical activity of the heart. Ford’s EKG seat is more advanced than an EKG machine typically found in a doctor’s office since it is able to detect heart activity through clothing.

This system is able to detect EKG abnormalities, such as arrhythmias, and then alert the driver to pull off the road and call for help. With today’s advanced technology, if necessary, the car can even alert EMR personnel that they are needed at a specified location, before, during or after an accident has occurred. Ford claims that testing results have shown that their car seat has produced accurate results at least 95% of the time.

Fortunately, modern medicine has been extremely successful with prolonging estimated life span, and for this reason there are many older drivers who have health issues on the roads. It is estimated that drivers who have been diagnosed as having cardiovascular disease are 25% more likely to have an automobile collision than the average driver who is in good health. This number is even higher, almost doubled with drivers who are diagnosed with agina. Ford has not yet set a release date for sales of their automobiles with this option. They are continuing to perfect the technology and project that it will be ready for consumer purchase sometime in the near future.

Technorati Tags: ecg, ECG Machines, EKG, EKG Machines

Most people think that EKG tests are only available in hospitals and or in medical offices. However, there is an ambulatory EKG monitor, commonly known as a Holter monitor (named after its inventor, Dr. Norman J. Holter), that is portable and mobile, and can be worn by a patient outside of a medical facility.
This cardiac monitor enables doctors to monitor a patient for an extended period of time. It can be worn for a time period of 24 hours up to a month. It can produce more accurate results than a traditional EKG because it monitors the heart’s reaction to everyday stress and activities. For this reason, doctors say that it provides a more thorough assessment of the way the heart functions.

An ambulatory EKG uses as few as three electrodes to record data. It is designed to diagnose heart conditions that would be difficult to observe with a traditional EKG machine. A patient with an occasional arrhythmia is more easily diagnosed and treated which can help a patient to avoid further complications.

A patient wearing a Holter monitor can record data by simply pressing a button. Doctors instruct their patients to use the device to begin recording whenever they believe that there is a change in their cardiac rate. Patients are normally required to keep a journal to record any pertinent information, such as the symptom experienced, what physical activity was taking place when the symptom occurred, the exact date and time a symptom occurred, and how long the symptoms lasted.

The information provided to a physician from a patient’s journal records and from the recording of the Holter monitor can diagnose or rule out carious cardiac conditions such as:

· Bradycardia
· Atrial fibrillation
· Ventricular tachycardia
· Multifocal atrial tachycardia
· Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia

The Holter monitor poses no risks to the patient, and is relatively easy to use. It is important that patients stay in contact with their physicians and avoid getting the monitor wet.

Technorati Tags: ecg, ECG Machines, EKG, EKG Machines, Used Medical Equipment

The leading cause of death in the United States is from a heart attack (myocardial infarction) which is the result of an interruption of blood flow through the heart due to a blockage in a coronary artery. Both males and females are at risk for heart disease and a large amount of the population will likely suffer from a form of the disease at some point in their lifetime.

The heart is the most important organ in the body, and heart problems can be more vital than practically any other health condition. Fatal heart attacks can often be prevented, even in people who are high-risk patients by maintaining healthy lifestyle choices and by having regular medical visits with a physician.

The American Heart Association (AHA) strongly recommends that individuals who have a genetic family history of heart disease take preventative measures by refraining from smoking, exercising regularly, following a nutritious diet to maintain a healthy weight, and by having regular EKG testing.

To ensure the health of one’s heart, annual exams should include:

· Checking blood pressure
· A complete blood test
· Stress test (with the patient hooked up to and EKG machine)

EKG machines are not only used as preventative diagnostic tools. They also can aid doctors and other medical professionals in post-heart attack treatment. On the occasion that a patient unknowingly has a heart attack, the ECG waves are able to detect signs of a previous attack, thereby providing valuable information that could assist doctors and patients in preventing a more severe attack at a later time. In addition, EKG machines are also used to evaluate the damage of a heart attack by recording the duration and strength of the electrical signals produced by the heart and how quickly the heart pumps blood through the body.

Technorati Tags: ecg, ECG Machines, EKG, EKG Machines, Used Medical Equipment

The first EKG machine was developed by Augustus Waller in 1877. The machine’s primary purpose was to measure and interpret both the rhythm and heart-rate of the heart muscle and to graph the heart’s electrical activity.

Today, EKG machines are a valuable diagnostic tool that enables doctors to diagnose the factors that cause heart palpitations, chest pain, and shortness of breath. EKG machines allow doctors to detect a variety of abnormalities before a treatment plan is provided for a patient. When the heart is healthy, the electrical current that pumps through the heart contracts and pushers blood through the body. When these electric signals are abnormal, a patient’s heart is not able to function properly.

An EKG test is painless and typically free of any complications. However, it is extremely important that physicians are informed about any medications a patient is taking. Depending on the individual circumstances of the patient, some physicians may order an EKG stress test. An EKG stress test differs from a typical EKG test due to the fact that it requires the patient to exercise either on a treadmill or on a stationary bicycle while they are hooked up to the EKG machine. A stress test can be a valuable diagnostic tool for physicians since it can evaluate the heart when at times when it requires more oxygen.

Today, most EKG machines incorporate 12-15 electrodes that are strategically placed on areas of the legs, arms, and chest. The electrodes transmit the heart signals directly to the EKG machine and the heart activity is graphically recorded in a sequence of waveforms. The three waveforms are referred to as; P, QRS, and T. Each waveform provides specific diagnostic information:

· P Waves – Calculate the activity in the heart’s atria

· QRS Waves – Measure the ventricular activity of the heart

· T Waves – Represent ventricles that are renewed

Doctors typically scan for any abnormalities in the direction, duration, and amplitude of the waveforms that are recorded during the test before diagnosing a patient.

Technorati Tags: ecg, ECG Machines, EKG, EKG Machines, Used Medical Equipment

EKG Tests cannot always detect artery problems while a patient is in a restful state. AN EKG test that is not combined with the element of exercise can often be inconclusive by showing minimal symptoms or normal results. Therefore, a stress test is that implements a treadmill is usually required to determine efficient medical testing results. Heart disease symptoms are more evident when the heart is exposed to stress through exercise.

Stress tests are commonly ordered for patients that show symptoms, or have a family history of coronary artery disease (CAD). They are also used to determine blood pressure rates in patients with borderline hypertension or to determine irregular heartbeats. Physicians also may also recommend a stress test if a patient complains of shortness of breath or unusual fatigue.

Unlike healthy arteries that dilate when exposed to exercise, an artery that is blocked or narrowed and does not dilate properly and can deliver too much or too little blood to the heart muscle. A reduced flow of blood can cause symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest discomfort.

A treadmill stress test is normally conducted in an exercise laboratory that has an EKG machine and a treadmill. The physician or technician attaches the EKG machine electrodes to the patient’s shoulders, hips, and chest. Initially, the patient’s blood pressure and heart rate are recorded by the EKG machine while they are at rest. The treadmill is initially set at a slow speed and the slope and inclination on the machine are typically increased every few minutes. The EKG is displayed on the monitor during the duration of the stress test and results are graphed and recorded on paper every minute.

During an EKG machine stress test, a medical professional closely monitors the patient’s EKG pattern, blood pressure, heart rate, and any changes in the patient’s appearance or condition. They may choose to stop the test prematurely if any serious conditions arise, such as chest pain, a drop or rise in blood pressure, dizziness, or shortness of breath.

Preliminary results are usually given to the patient immediately. The full test results are usually available in a few days. Physicians may use the test results to diagnose heart disease or to monitor or regulate an existing condition.

Technorati Tags: ecg, ECG Machines, EKG, EKG Machines, Used Medical Equipment

EKG machines are used to provide physicians with an Electrocardiogram which is a test that medical professionals use to detect and evaluate heart problems in a patient. By recording the heart’s electrical activity, EKG’s are able to identify the source of the problem within the heart. Doctors may require a patient to have an EKG for a variety of symptoms such as:

· Unusual heartbeat patterns or sounds during an exam
· Fatigue
· Chest pain
· Difficult breathing
· To evaluate the effect of medications or medical devices
· Screening for early heart disease

It can reveal problems such as birth defects of the heart, the presence of disease in between the chambers of the heart valves, irregular heartbeat, insufficient blood flow of the heart muscle, cardiac arrest, and an irregular heart pump. It can also diagnose thickness of the heart muscle and an abnormally sized heart.

Normally, electric heart signals begin at the top part of the right atrium of the heart and travel downward. As the electric signals travel, they make the muscle tissue of the heart contract, and the contractions pump blood through the body.

An EKG test determines heart rate (how fast or slow the heart is beating), and it will also indicate whether the rhythm of the heart is irregular or steady and the strength of the electrical signals while they are passing through the different areas of the heart.

An EKG test is usually performed by a physician or a trained medical technician and is harmless and painless for the patient. Twelve soft patches, the size of a quarter, known as electrodes are placed directly on the skin of the patient’s chest, legs, and arms. The patient is required to lie still for several minutes to allow the electrodes to detect the heart’s electric signals. An EKG machine may either display the results on a monitor or record them on graph paper. An EKG test lasts about ten minutes.

Technorati Tags: ecg, ECG Machines, EKG, EKG Machines, Used Medical Equipment

EKG devices were invented in the early 1900’s and are one of the most important diagnostic tools used today in modern medicine. Soon after its initial introduction, many significant improvements were made in the technology of EKG machines. The most important improvement was in the size of the electromagnet. It was reduced significantly in size, which allowed the machine to be more portable. Secondly, the electrodes were developed allowing the machine to be attached directly to the skin.

Originally, patients were required to submerge their arms and legs into electrode jars that contained a large volume of sodium chloride solution. Other improvements were made later that improved the electronic signal and made the data from the EKG immediately available. Modern EKG machines are similar to earlier models, but not necessarily more accurate.

An EKG (electrocardiogram) machine graphically records all electrical activity of the heart. The primary function of an EKG machine relies on the heart’s ability to produce electric signals. A heart consists of four chambers and two pumps. Electrodes that are attached to the body allow physicians to measure the voltage of impulses in various positions in the heart with EKG machines.

Each heartbeat produces three distinct EKG waves. The P wave measures the electric signal that is generated by the pacemaker. The QRS complex is the largest signal and it graphically represents an electrical signal that that is created by relaxation of the atria and contraction of ventricles. Lastly, the T wave shows the relaxing of the ventricles.

EKG’s provide doctors with useful information that can assist in detection of heart function problems. An EKG machine is most useful in detecting abnormal heartbeats, known as arrhythmias. EKS’s are also commonly used by doctors to observe and treat obstructions in the arteries.

Technorati Tags: ecg, ECG Machines, EKG, EKG Machines, Used Medical Equipment

Paramedics can use EKG machines to determine if an emergency patient is having a heart attack and send the results to a local hospital while in route. For an individual in a cardiac crisis, this technology is priceless. This breakthrough technology enhances the quality of care for heart attack victims and saves lives. Time is of the essence when dealing with patients who are suffering from heart attacks and this process can decrease what medical professionals refer to as “door to balloon” time significantly, which describes the amount of time between the onset of the attack and the opening of the arteries. By national standards, the allotted time to complete the entire procedure is 90 minutes. However, with paramedics using this technique, blood flow can often be restored in as little as 30 minutes.

An acute heart attack can cause irreversible brain damage within four to six minutes after the heart stops pumping a patient stops breathing. Statistics consistently show that when heart attack victims are not resuscitated before arriving at the hospital, survival is highly unlikely. Outcomes improved significantly when resuscitation time was 15 minutes or less. Therefore, heart patients are always advised to call 911 immediately if they think they are having a heart attack so that trained paramedics can assess the situation and provide treatment on-site and briskly transport the individual to the hospital for heart catheterization to clear the blockage.

EKG machines in ambulances along with specially trained EMS personnel help to expedite the whole process in general. Once the paramedics supply the emergency personnel at the hospital with the patient’s EKG readings, the hospital workers can be prepared for treatment decisions, rather than evaluation, and can swiftly mobilize the patient upon arrival reducing further cardiac damage and preventing death.

Technorati Tags: ecg, ECG Machines, EKG, EKG Machines, Used Medical Equipment

Premature babies (Preemies) are at risk for heart conditions and the severity of the problem is usually related to how premature the newborn is. Generally, the more premature a baby is, the more likely it is for the heart problems to be severe. Depending in the type of condition, there are several approaches available to treat babies who are premature and have heart conditions. Mild cases often only require health professionals supporting the baby in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) until the heart gets stronger and matures. While being cared for in NICU, a premature infant with a weak heart is hooked up to EKG machines and is constantly monitored by NICU staff to keep track of their heart rate and blood pressure.

Although stethoscopes can be effective at assessing circulation and other heart conditions, premature babies typically have other diagnostic testing performed. These procedures are able to provide a more detailed picture of the heart and how it is functioning. Measuring oxygen levels in the blood can also be an indicator of heart function since the lungs and heart work collaboratively to bring in and distribute oxygen to all of the organs and tissues in the body.

EKG machines can provide a physician with an Electrocardiogram which records the heart’s electric activity on a graph. A standard EKG is a painless procedure that takes about ten minutes to perform. Test results provide doctors and other health professionals with crucial information pertaining to heart rate and the current size of the heart muscle. Typically, small stickers, known as electrodes, are placed on the baby’s chest, arms, and legs which record the heart’s activity. The test takes about ten minutes to perform and is completely painless. Treatment is geared toward getting the heart to function in a normal capacity so that it is regularly pumping and adequate supply of blood through the vessels and allowing oxygen to flow freely.

Technorati Tags: ecg, ECG Machines, EKG, EKG Machines, Used Medical Equipment

Many troublesome health issues can go unnoticed in dogs since they are not normally checked and diagnosed during a yearly, routine physical examination. For example, certain breeds of dogs are more predisposed to heart conditions and these hazardous heart conditions may go undetected without an EKG test. It is important for dog owners to remember that 12 months is 7 years metabolically for their dog, and a lot can happen in 7 years. If the vet detects an abnormal sounding heartbeat during a standard exam, they may typically choose to use x-rays to determine the size and shape of the heart and lungs. In addition to x-rays, a veterinarian may order an EKG.

Electrocardiographs can measure different types of arrhythmias as well as other common cardiac conditions. EKG testing is a painless, noninvasive procedure that will not cause your pet any discomfort. Typically, several electrodes from the EKG machine are placed on the dog’s body and the EKG machine is able to analyze the electrical impulses from your pet’s heart and produce a graph-like result.

Many veterinarians can do EKG testing in their offices and transmit the images of the x-rays and ECG results via computer to a cardiologist service to have the results evaluated. The cost is around $300.00. The test provides doctors with valuable diagnostic data and a baseline that they are able to use to compare over time. If there is any type of abnormality detected, your veterinarian will suggest a treatment plan. It is typically recommended that regular monitoring is done every six months for early detection of problems; treatment is more successful with early detection. A cardiac arrhythmia prognosis does not necessarily indicate heart disease. Certain arrhythmias may be controlled by medication. However, medication is not capable of curing the condition therefore it is typically recommended that regular examinations and monitoring be done every six months for early detection of problems since treatment is more successful with early detection.

Technorati Tags: ecg, ECG Machines, EKG, EKG Machines, Used Medical Equipment