Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the main cause of death throughout the world. They kill around 250 million people every year, although, the percentage of deaths seem to decline each succeeding year thanks to the advancement of technology in science. The development of machines has greatly affected the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
In these times, diagnosis of CVD is easily accessible. Back then, the only detection tool the doctors had was stethoscopes. While stethoscopes are of great help to the medical professionals even today, the availability of electrocardiographs, echocardiographs, angiographs and so on, have definitely made an impact. Like any other man made things in this world, these machines have limitations aside from their pros.
One of the most often used technologies in diagnostics for cardiovascular diseases is electrocardiography. Electrocardiography, also known as electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG), is a noninvasive procedure to detect any heart problems. It uses an electrocardiograph which shows the sequence of waves that relate to the electrical impulses that happen through each heart beat. The result, normally shown on a monitor, displays the heart as it functioning. You can actually see the heart without having a surgery or an invasive procedure. (http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/Ce-Fi/Electrocardiography.html)
With an EKG, it is possible to detect arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), bradycardia (slow heartbeats), tachycardia (fast heartbeats), myocardial infarction (heart attack), and other heart conditions. It is also used to monitor patients pre-operation, post-operation, or during the surgery.
As mentioned, the test is available without having an operation. Perhaps, this is the greatest advantage of the EKG. The disadvantage on the other hand is, a recent study showed that EKG tests have dismissed 39% of heart disease cases. Thus, early medical detection is available, but the effectiveness of this in actually... [continues]
In these times, diagnosis of CVD is easily accessible. Back then, the only detection tool the doctors had was stethoscopes. While stethoscopes are of great help to the medical professionals even today, the availability of electrocardiographs, echocardiographs, angiographs and so on, have definitely made an impact. Like any other man made things in this world, these machines have limitations aside from their pros.
One of the most often used technologies in diagnostics for cardiovascular diseases is electrocardiography. Electrocardiography, also known as electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG), is a noninvasive procedure to detect any heart problems. It uses an electrocardiograph which shows the sequence of waves that relate to the electrical impulses that happen through each heart beat. The result, normally shown on a monitor, displays the heart as it functioning. You can actually see the heart without having a surgery or an invasive procedure. (http://www.surgeryencyclopedia.com/Ce-Fi/Electrocardiography.html)
With an EKG, it is possible to detect arrhythmias (irregular heartbeats), bradycardia (slow heartbeats), tachycardia (fast heartbeats), myocardial infarction (heart attack), and other heart conditions. It is also used to monitor patients pre-operation, post-operation, or during the surgery.
As mentioned, the test is available without having an operation. Perhaps, this is the greatest advantage of the EKG. The disadvantage on the other hand is, a recent study showed that EKG tests have dismissed 39% of heart disease cases. Thus, early medical detection is available, but the effectiveness of this in actually... [continues]
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