Different procedures for showing heart irregularities

1. Chapter 5
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Jessica Russell

2. Echocardiogram
What It Shows
• A test that uses an ultrasound to view the heart muscle and heart valves
• It is used to asses the heart function if there is a problem established by
the cardiologist

3. Purpose of ECHO
• Detect problems with the heart valves
• Diagnose early congenital heart defects in unborn babies
• To diagnose signs of shortness of breath and chest pain

4. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
• Records the electric activity of your heart through small electrode patches
placed on your chest, arms, and legs
• The recording of the electrocardiography
• Used to check for signs of early heart disease

5. EKG Diagnostics
• Measure the intervals of the EKG to determine how long the electrical
wave passes through the heart
– Determine of it is normal or slow, fast or irregular
– Then this will help the cardiologist determine if a part is being overworked or
too large
• This will help detect heart failures, irregular heart beats or arrhythmia, or
heart attacks

6. Holter Monitor
• A type of medical equipment used to produce an electrocardiogram
• Portable device to monitor the heart activity for 24 to 48 hours or longer
• These are also called ambulatory electrocardiograms

7. Holter Monitor Purpose
• Used to establish if your heart rate is abnormal, fast or slow
• Also used to see if the medication prescribed is currently working
• This will help your doctor decide if you need a pacemaker or a
cardioversion procedure