One in every four deaths in the United States is the result of heart disease. This leads to a total of 647,000 lives lost and $219 billion in medical costs every year. Medical professionals need an effective way to diagnose and prevent these conditions. An EKG or electrocardiogram is the most universally accepted method. Working a new medical procedure into the list of services your clinic provides can be difficult, and purchasing the required equipment can be expensive. Justifying the necessary time and money makes it easier not to worry about them.
To see the need for EKG tests, you must know the answer to several important questions. What is an EKG? How is it performed? Why do I need to do it? Read on to learn about the EKG process, the types of machines involved, why you need them, and where to get them.
What Is An EKG?
Any procedure can be frightening the first time you perform or receive it, and an EKG test is no exception. The more you know about it ahead of time, the more prepared you can be.
The most important things to know are how an EKG differs from other similar tests, why and how it’s performed, and how to read the results.
Comparing an EKG to Other Tests
There’s no need to compare an ECG vs. EKG, as they’re different terms for the same process. EKG refers to the German spelling of electrocardiogram that uses the letter k in place of the letter c.
EKG tests are also often confused with another procedure known as an electrocardiogram or echo for short.
Both tests are used to diagnose heart conditions and search for abnormalities. They’re often combined as part of a valid diagnosis and treatment program but are different in several ways.
The detailed scans required in an echo take longer to complete than a simple EKG test. An EKG machine is also different from an echo scanner, as it provides data in the form of a graph instead of pictures.
Types of EKG Tests
There are several types of EKG tests to be aware of. The four major classifications include surface, resting, stress or exercise, and ambulatory.
A surface EKG involves placing electrodes on the patient’s skin and connecting them to an EKG machine to read the electrical activity of their heart.
A resting EKG allows you to sit or lay in a comfortable position. It’s one of the most common types.
A stress or exercise EKG measures your heart rate while you engage in physical activity such as using a treadmill or exercise bike. This determines how your heart reacts to stress and checks for any weakness of the heart muscles.
An ambulatory EKG uses a portable EKG machine to measure the activity of your heart outside of a clinic. It’s best suited for patients who have intermittent symptoms that come and go. It’s also the longest and may take days to complete.
Reasons to Get an EKG
There are several reasons a doctor may order an EKG. The major ones include the presence of concerning symptoms, a family history of heart problems, treatment for other conditions, and follow-up care.
A variety of symptoms could indicate problems with the heart, such as fatigue and chest pain. If a patient experiences any of these signs, their doctor may recommend an EKG.
Genetics increase the likelihood of all medical issues, including problems with the heart. If a patient has a history of heart disease in their family, they may receive regular EKG tests to ensure no symptoms develop.
Several medical conditions can affect the heart, and an EKG test can ensure the damage they cause doesn’t become too severe.
An EKG test may also be necessary after medical procedures that could affect the heart. One of the most common follow-up applications is ensuring that a recently placed pacemaker is functioning properly.
The EKG Process
An EKG test is simple, painless, short, and has almost no side effects. The more you know about it ahead of time, the better you’ll be able to perform it.
An EKG measures the electrical activity of the heart over a specific period of time, usually 5 minutes or less. It does so by connecting ten electrodes, known as leads, from the patient’s body to an EKG machine.
Six of the electrodes are placed on the chest. The other four go on the arms and legs. Keeping them all in the right place ensures accurate EKG results.
When the test is complete, the EKG machine provides the relevant data, which is typically printed on paper. Professionals can analyze and use it to diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions.
Reading EKG Results
Heart rate is one of the most critical measures an EKG can provide. Anything over 100 beats per minute is tachycardia, and anything under 60 beats per minute is bradycardia. Either result can indicate serious heart problems.
Doctors must know their patients before determining the results of an EKG test.
Certain medications like beta-blockers can slow the heart rate. Factors like the patient’s activity level can also affect what’s considered a normal EKG for them.
What Is An EKG Machine?
Before purchasing a machine to perform EKG tests, you must understand what they are, what they do, and the different types available.
A typical EKG machine measures the electrical activity of the patient’s heart and prints out the results on paper. Medical professionals can read the data and determine if there’s anything abnormal.
There are different portable EKG machines used to perform an ambulatory EKG. Two of the most common are the Holter monitor and the event monitor.
A Holter monitor is portable and checks a patient’s heart rate for 1-2 days. Reasons for its use are similar to any other EKG test; abnormal heart rhythms, potentially dangerous symptoms, and/or poor blood flow.
An event monitor measures intermittent symptoms that come and go. Patients press the button to make the monitor record the activity of their heart. They may have to wear the device for weeks or months to record anything abnormal accurately.
Medical facilities should have all types of EKG machines on hand at all times. This allows them to test and treat any patient that walks through their doors.
Why Do I Need An EKG Machine?
The other important consideration when deciding whether or not to purchase any type of medical equipment is to determine what it will be used for and the benefits it could provide.
An EKG machine makes your clinic more competitive, has a wide range of functions, and works well with all other devices you may already own. These are the most compelling reasons to consider purchasing one.
Competitiveness
Every clinic needs to work to draw in patients, and having the best possible equipment to provide the best possible care is one of the best ways to do so.
The EKG equipment industry is worth over $4 billion and is expected to grow at a rate of 5.9% in the next seven years. Monitoring equipment alone makes up over $2,400 million of this revenue.
Most medical facilities have already purchased an EKG machine, and you’ll lose business if you’re behind the curve. Patients who want an EKG will go to another facility if you can’t perform one.
Having the best possible care will also help you attract the most qualified professionals to work at your clinic.
The employment rate for cardiovascular technicians is expected to rise by 22%. The need for qualified professionals is high, but they’ll need a working EKG machine to do their job.
Usage
Heart disease is the most common cause of death in the world. Without a working EKG machine, your facility won’t be able to diagnose or treat it effectively.
An EKG machine can help a doctor diagnose more than just heart disease. It can also identify heart problems that result from other conditions.
Compatibility With Other Machines
EKG machines work together with other devices to provide a more complete diagnosis and treatment plan. Most patients with an abnormal EKG will then get an echocardiogram for a more detailed picture of their heart.
You don’t have to be a facility that focuses on treating heart disease to benefit from an EKG machine. Problems in the heart affect the rest of the body, and being able to spot them ahead of time lets you provide more effective treatments.
Knowing why you need an EKG machine is just as important as knowing where to get one. Check here for tips on how to choose a medical equipment supplier to get the best possible products for your facility.
Where Can I Get an EKG Machine?
Medical professionals may have questions such as what is an EKG, and why does my clinic need to conduct it?
There are various reasons to perform an EKG because a range of symptoms indicate abnormal heart activity. There are also several types of EKG machines to choose from, and it’s best to have them all on hand to provide the highest level of care.
Once you know what type of equipment you need, it’s time to decide where to purchase it from. We have a wide variety of medical equipment to help your facility thrive.
Learn more about our Infinium QRS-12 ECG system here and contact us for more information today.