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What Is The Difference Between Echocardiogram And Electrocardiogram?
Question: how much of a change on ekg's a year apart is cause for concern. I'm having back pain that stabs forward to my chest. the ekg result at the doctor yesterday was "probably normal" but it is different from my ekg almost a year ago
Brief Answer:
Normal Variant
Detailed Answer:
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic
Both the ECGs are within NORMAL limits
There is no significant change between the two
In the ECG, there are beat to beat changes… it is the not the change over time, but absolute values that need attention
The rSr’ pattern (also called incomplete Right Bundle Branch pattern) seen in V1 lead is a normal variant… [Rarely due to conduction system or right sided heart issues]
An ECHOcardiogram is routinely done to see the heart valves / heart muscle and heart function (Ejection fraction, wall motion abnormality) / clots... / and so on
TMT (Treadmill exercise ECG) is also done routinely to evaluate ischemia (reduced blood flow / Coronary Artery Disease)
This ECG does not warrant any concern. Only if there are symptoms like palpitation, blurred vision, dizziness, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, along with this, further assessment is done.
Good luck
God bless you
Normal Variant
Detailed Answer:
Hi friend
Welcome to Health Care Magic
Both the ECGs are within NORMAL limits
There is no significant change between the two
In the ECG, there are beat to beat changes… it is the not the change over time, but absolute values that need attention
The rSr’ pattern (also called incomplete Right Bundle Branch pattern) seen in V1 lead is a normal variant… [Rarely due to conduction system or right sided heart issues]
An ECHOcardiogram is routinely done to see the heart valves / heart muscle and heart function (Ejection fraction, wall motion abnormality) / clots... / and so on
TMT (Treadmill exercise ECG) is also done routinely to evaluate ischemia (reduced blood flow / Coronary Artery Disease)
This ECG does not warrant any concern. Only if there are symptoms like palpitation, blurred vision, dizziness, loss of consciousness, shortness of breath, along with this, further assessment is done.
Good luck
God bless you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Previous echocardiogram showed that heart does not relax all of the way when closing and stress test showed too fast heart beat with stress/excercise. There is hard beating, fast beating, palpitations and sharp pains in the heart area in both chest and back, high blood pressure (multiple burst blood vessels on the back of the eyes). vision problems, major fatigue, dizziness and light headedness on a come and go basis but the last two days the back (right opposite the chest stabs) especially and chest sharp pains have been worse
Brief Answer:
Need further assessment & assistance
Detailed Answer:
Hi
That is an indication for further assessment and assistance…
Standard ECG records the electrical activity of the heart, for a few seconds. It can detect the arrhythmia occurring during that time only. If the episode occurs randomly or is precipitated by a specific activity like exercise - one needs Holter or event monitor. Holter records for days; Event Monitor for weeks… Holter records continuously; Event Monitor only at certain times. This super-speciality cardiology expert is called Electro-Physiologist.
As the stress test (Treadmill Exercise ECG), the next step is TMT with thallium isotope (Stress imaging). It is the ideal non-invasive way to evaluate ischemia / to assess the function (PHYSIOLOGY) – to see whether the blood arriving at the heart muscle.
The next step is to see the ANATOMY (structure) – undergo catheterisation and coronary angiography with a view for possible intervention. It is the only way to directly ‘see’ the block, if any – and its location, extent, severity and so on. Coronary arteriography is invasive but it is the gold standard for this. / CT angio is non-invasive study for the anatomy. If positive, she will need catheterisation, anyway.
The treating doctor alone could conclude better based on total clinical picture…
Regards
Need further assessment & assistance
Detailed Answer:
Hi
That is an indication for further assessment and assistance…
Standard ECG records the electrical activity of the heart, for a few seconds. It can detect the arrhythmia occurring during that time only. If the episode occurs randomly or is precipitated by a specific activity like exercise - one needs Holter or event monitor. Holter records for days; Event Monitor for weeks… Holter records continuously; Event Monitor only at certain times. This super-speciality cardiology expert is called Electro-Physiologist.
As the stress test (Treadmill Exercise ECG), the next step is TMT with thallium isotope (Stress imaging). It is the ideal non-invasive way to evaluate ischemia / to assess the function (PHYSIOLOGY) – to see whether the blood arriving at the heart muscle.
The next step is to see the ANATOMY (structure) – undergo catheterisation and coronary angiography with a view for possible intervention. It is the only way to directly ‘see’ the block, if any – and its location, extent, severity and so on. Coronary arteriography is invasive but it is the gold standard for this. / CT angio is non-invasive study for the anatomy. If positive, she will need catheterisation, anyway.
The treating doctor alone could conclude better based on total clinical picture…
Regards
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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