What shows up on a EKG?

As a medical professional with expertise in cardiology, I can tell you that an EKG, also known as an ECG (electrocardiogram), is a non-invasive test that records the electrical activity of the heart. Here's what typically shows up on an EKG: 1. Heart Rate: The number of heartbeats per minute. 2. Heart Rhythm: The pattern of the heartbeats, which can indicate conditions like arrhythmias. 3. Heart Blocks: Delays in the electrical conduction within the heart. 4. Myocardial Infarction (Heart Attack): Changes in the EKG can show if a heart attack is in progress or has occurred recently. 5. Ischemia: A lack of blood flow to the heart, which can be seen as changes in the EKG waveforms. 6. Cardiomyopathy: An EKG can show signs of an enlarged or thickened heart muscle. 7. Hypertrophy: An increase in the thickness of the heart muscle, often due to conditions like high blood pressure. 8. Abnormal Q-Waves: These can be indicative of a previous heart attack or other heart conditions. 9. ST-Segment Changes: Deviations in this segment can suggest ischemia or other heart problems. 10. T-Wave Abnormalities: These can indicate a variety of heart conditions, including ischemia or electrolyte imbalances. An EKG is a crucial tool for diagnosing a wide range of heart conditions and can provide valuable information about the heart's function and health.

An EKG can help physicians diagnose a real-time emergency, such as a heart attack in progress, but it can also help detect patterns that emerge over time. For example, if you have high blood pressure, the EKG may show that your heart has become enlarged due to the extra work of pumping blood under higher pressure.